Wanda Jean Mize

Wanda Jean (Nelms) Mize was born in Electra, Wichita County, Texas on February 25, 1941, as the 2nd daughter of Leroy Neville (Jack) Nelms and Melissa Ruth (Skinner) Nelms.
Since October of 2012, she and her husband, Terry Mize, lived in Georgetown, Texas where they enjoyed life in Sun City with many friends and frequent visits to the Texas Hill Country. Prior to that, they lived in Tyler, Texas where they were both active members of Green Acres Baptist Church. They were small group leaders and involved in medical Mission trips to East Africa and a Pilgrimage trip to Israel. They were also members of the Lanny Bridges Bible Study class. Terry and Wanda so loved the lush, green beauty of East Texas and developed strong ties to family and friends there.
Wanda and Terry attended high school where they met and fell in love in Lovington, New Mexico. They married on July 17, 1959 shortly after Wanda's graduation and remained deeply in love until death separated them when Terry passed away on September 13, 2020. Now they are reunited forever with their Lord and Savior and other family members and friends waiting for them. No doubt Wanda and Terry are again two- steppin' through eternity together!
Wanda taught first grade for 7 years in Dallas and Chicago where they lived while Terry pursued his business career with M&M Mars Candies. She also was a successful real estate agent in Dallas. Wanda's proudest accomplishment was raising her daughters and remaining close to her grandchildren. She spent her entire adult life willingly moving from place to place to either advance Terry's career, be closer to family or sometimes just to try something new. Her favorite of all their many homes was the beautiful Lakehouse on Possum Kingdom Lake in North Texas.
Wanda's passions were simple and fulfilling. She enjoyed Bible study and planting flowers and vegetables. A visitor could always be certain that Wanda and Terry's backyard would be a showplace bursting with color! A book was never far from Wanda and she often loved to read about Texas history. Wanda was a wonderful chef preparing huge, Southern style meals most days and many of her "famous" recipes will be her legacy, such as New Mexico Red Chile Enchiladas, Chicken Spaghetti, Strawberry Cake and Apricot Fried Pies. But nothing made her happier than dancing with her "sweetheart" to Country and Western tunes.
She and Terry had many adventures together while he was growing his career or businesses. They traveled to Europe, Asia, South America, the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico. They vacationed frequently and often took family members along on their sojourns.
Wanda and Terry were members of Crestview Baptist Church in Georgetown, TX where they attended the Davis Cooper Bible Study Class since 2012 and Wanda enjoyed volunteering during Vacation Bible School most summers.
Wanda had the softest skin on her arms which made for wonderful, comforting hugs. She was the sweetest, kindest, most forgiving woman with a tolerance for everyone else's foibles. She adored having a Coca- Cola for breakfast with her toast everyday, much to Terry's dismay. She treated herself to dessert most everyday of her life, because, why not? And she had an amazing knack for power naps; often only needing 10 minutes or so to feel revived! Wanda would want to be remembered most for being a loving, positive, happy Mom and Nonnie to her family. She never met a child she didn't scoop up and love as her own family.
Wanda is survived by 3 daughters, Terri (Mize) Warnock of Austin, Texas, Rebecca (Mize) Burrell of Hereford, Texas, and Jennifer Leigh Mize of Irving, Texas. Wanda has 5 grandchildren, Michael, Caitlin, Kayleigh, Travis and Hanna. She has 8 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Fay (Nelms) Zamora. She is preceded in death by sisters, Virginia Lee and Cheryl Jo.
A memorial service will be held on August 26, 2022 at Crestview Baptist Church in Georgetown Texas at 10:00 am. Wanda's favorite color was blue, so feel free to wear your blue apparel! In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to either The American Brain Foundation or Best Friends Animal Society.