Wanda Cason

Wanda Gertrude "Gertie" Cason, 77, of Moberly, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

Wanda was born July 20, 1948, in Miami, Missouri, to William Grant Cason and Anna Gertrude (Carter) Cason. From an early age, she was grounded in faith, family, and a deep sense of responsibility to her community, values that guided her throughout her life and shaped her enduring legacy.

A devoted woman of faith, Wanda was a longtime and active member of Second Baptist Church in Maimi, Columbia, and Moberly. She faithfully served in many roles, including as a Missionary and as a member of the Women of GLOW Ministry, where she supported spiritual growth, outreach, and service. Wanda loved the church and its people, and her faith was not something she merely professed, it was something she lived daily through action, advocacy, and love.

Wanda was a respected civil rights leader and tireless advocate for Black rights, equity, and justice, following in the footsteps of her father, a lifetime member of the NAACP. She served as President of the local NAACP chapter in Moberly and held leadership roles in Columbia, Missouri, including serving as Executive Committee President. Her work extended statewide through the NAACP, where she collaborated closely with Mary A. Ratliff, President of the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP.

Wanda helped organize marches, protests, and advocacy efforts addressing racial profiling and unequal treatment of African Americans across Missouri. She played an active role in statewide efforts following Missouri's 2009 Vehicle Stops Report, which revealed significant disparities in traffic stops affecting African American motorists. Wanda stood firmly for justice and accountability, believing that systemic change required courage, persistence, and collective action.

Her leadership was also recognized through her work with Church Women United (CWU) in Columbia, where she served as President. Under her leadership, CWU was honored with the 2010 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award by the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Committee during the King Day Celebration at St. Luke United Methodist Church. Wanda was later recognized by the Columbia Tribune with a plaque and published photograph honoring her leadership and service.

Professionally, Wanda served her community for many years as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), caring for others with compassion, dignity, and professionalism. She later worked at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia, Missouri. Her love for education and youth extended beyond her employment, she also served as a Foster Grandparent and as a Project Jumpstart Tutor, where she mentored, encouraged, and supported young learners. Wanda believed deeply that education was empowerment and poured herself into helping children thrive.

Wanda had a profound love for Black history, Black culture, and the empowerment of future generations. She was known for sharing readings, reflections, and historical lessons, especially with young people, about pioneers of advocacy and liberation, including Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers, and the Black Panther Party. She believed knowledge was power and intentionally passed that knowledge forward.

In addition to her advocacy and service, Wanda loved traveling with family, friends, and her church family. She often spoke fondly of trips to Memphis for the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) Convention and cherished the experience of meeting her favorite singer, Al Green, during a visit to the church where he pastored, an experience that brought her great joy.

Wanda was also a gifted athlete. She was a top-notch softball player in her youth and continued playing into adulthood in women's leagues. She was especially known for her role as the catcher, a position that reflected her strength, leadership, sharp instincts, and steady presence on the field.

To those who truly knew her, Wanda's love was often revealed through names. Known affectionately as "Gertie" or "Gert," she believed deeply in honoring people by calling them by their full God-given names. If Wanda called you by your full name, it meant you were deeply loved, respected, and claimed as her own, because to her, calling you fully was loving you fully.

Above all, Wanda cherished her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, mentor, and friend whose presence brought wisdom, strength, and care to those around her.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharron Cason and a significant other, Marlow Spratt; two grandsons, Carter Cason and wife Connie and Bernie Cason (Bear) and wife Stephanie; seven great-grandchildren; her brothers, William (Bill) Cason (Joan), Grant Cason (Rhonda), Rob Cason (Mary "Suzie"), and Gary Cason (Janet); honorary siblings Marilyn Worley, Bobby Barnes, and Oscar Williams; and her cousin, Jaque Smith, along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, church family, NAACP colleagues, and dear friends.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, William G. Cason and Anna G. (Carter) Cason; her stepmother, Mildred Barnes; her great-grandparents, Eugene and Irene Carter; and her uncles, Amos Carter, Joe Carter, and Eugene Carter.

Funeral services will were held at Second Baptist Church, Moberly, Missouri. A Visitation preceded. Committal prayer and burial took place at the Oakland Cemetery, Moberly, MO.