Wathena Elizabeth Leird

Wathena Elizabeth (Scroggins) Leird, 89, of Savanna, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, September 21, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Family will welcome friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Bishop Funeral Service and Crematory.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at Savanna First Baptist Church, 9418 S. US Highway 69, with Rev. Randy Cox officiating. Burial will follow at Savanna Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Bennett, Payton Bennett, Nolan Bennett, Ketch Bennett, Jimmie Davis, and Keegan Kincade.

Wathena was born February 6, 1936, in Pittsburg to Joseph Elwood and Ada Bell (Crowson) Scroggins. She grew up in Savanna and graduated from Savanna High School in 1954. On June 20, 1959, she married the love of her life, Johnny Bentley Leird, in Savanna. They shared 63 years together before his passing on May 5, 2022.

A dedicated worker, Wathena was employed as a seamstress and supervisor at Komar and Sons and Seamprufe Manufacturing before serving in the Savanna School cafeteria, where she retired in 2001 after ten years of service. Even in retirement, she continued to give of herself by providing in-home childcare, lovingly caring for her "honorary grandchildren" Mackenzie Davis, Keegan and Kylee Kincade, as well as her beloved great-grandchildren, Payton, Nolan, and Ketch.

Faith and fellowship were important to Wathena. She was a devoted member of Savanna First Baptist Church and an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Creative and talented with her hands, Wathena was rarely without a needlework project. Her beautiful quilts, clothing, crochet, embroidery, and knitting were cherished expressions of her skill and love. She also had a green thumb, and her flower gardens bloomed brightly under her care. For many years, she enjoyed bowling at Rocket Bowl in McAlester, where she made lasting memories and friendships.

Wathena was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ada Scroggins; her husband, Johnny Leird; her sister, Ruth Weeks; and her brother, Charles Scroggins.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen Bennett and husband, Danny; granddaughter, Lyndsey Bennett; grandson, Jeffrey Bennett; great-grandsons, Payton, Nolan, and Ketch Bennett; sister, Barbara Surber; brothers, Thomas Scroggins and Carlton Scroggins; along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and many dear friends.

Wathena will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her boundless creativity, and the deep love she had for her family. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the many treasures she left behind.