Wanda Stevens

Clara Wanda Storie Stevens, born January 13, 1937, went to be with her Lord and Savior October 22, 2025.

On a snowy winter's evening, Wanda was delivered into this world by her father in a small house in the woods set far back from the road near Stratford, Oklahoma. Her parents were Lemuel Earl Storie and Ruth Elizabeth Carr Storie. Growing up the middle of 7 children and moving around Oklahoma and New Mexico, she worked on the farm, pulling cotton with her parents and siblings, sometimes escaping to climb a tree to read a book or do homework instead. This pull to reading, to learning was undeniable, and despite a time when such a path was uncommon and difficult for a poor rural girl, she persevered throughout the decades that followed until she reached her goals. After graduating from high school in Portales, NM, she determined to continue her education. Financing her university studies by working in a pharmacy full-time, she graduated with a master's degree from Eastern New Mexico University before beginning her teaching career in New Mexico. She obtained a position at Gallup High School where she would meet her love and partner in life, David. They married in 1961 and welcomed their first son, Bryan, in 1964. Soon, they moved to Lawton, OK where David had accepted a teaching position at Cameron University. Their second son, Don, was born in 1967 and their daughter, LeAnn, in 1971. In Lawton, Wanda taught part-time during the years her children were young but began an assistant professor position at Cameron University in the Department of Business in 1979. Teaching full time and raising three children, she began commuting to Norman in 1983 to work on her doctoral studies at the University of Oklahoma, obtaining her Ph.D. in Business Education in 1986. By her retirement in 2000, Wanda was the chairperson of the Cameron University Department of Business where she served with integrity and kindness, evidenced by the students who could often be seen hugging her at graduation ceremonies.

Wanda was also active in her church, Skyline Missionary Baptist, serving as piano player and treasurer. She was graced with the talent of a musician and singer, teaching herself to play the piano by ear using the traditional "shape-notes" common in old southern gospel music. She had no formal training but could play songs in any key desired simply by knowing the tune. Her voice was a beautiful, clear, emotive soprano honed over the years singing with her sisters and brother-in-law in a gospel group, at church, at home, and at family gatherings.

Wanda and David rarely sat still. They were always on call to help a neighbor or a family member. If you asked, they were there. They also enjoyed traveling with their family and to visit family and friends, taking trips over the years to numerous cities and national parks in the US and often to France as well as Portugal, Spain, and Scotland.

Wanda was preceded in death by David, her husband of 62 years; she is survived by three children and their spouses: Bryan and Katie Stevens of St. Louis, MO; Don and Amy Stevens of Norman, OK; LeAnn Stevens-Larré and Lionel Larré of Bordeaux, France; six grandchildren, Scarlett Reeves and partner Steffi Eberlein, Bordeaux, France; Wyatt Reeves, Oklahoma City; Sarah Carroll and husband Tim of Norman, OK; Emily Stevens and fiancé Sam Mayfield, St. Louis, MO; Jason Stevens, Columbia, MO; Alyénor Stevens-Larré, Bordeaux, France; sisters, Joy Turner and children, Vernon and Lee Turner; Patricia James and children, Debbie Meacham and Myra Boss Pack; nieces and nephews, Glen Dale Storie and wife Elisa; Pamela Harrell and husband Kerry; Derryl Bell and wife Tonya; Dianne Mahan; and many other friends and loved ones.

Graveside funeral services will be held Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 1:00 pm in Ada, Oklahoma, at Rosedale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Wanda's honor to the charity of your choice or to one of the following:

The Little Warrior Foundation

seeking a cure for childhood cancer/Ewing Sarcoma

https://www.littlewarrior.org/donate

Skyline Missionary Baptist Church

c/o SMBC

4131 36th Ave. SE

Noble, OK 73068