Wanda Charlene Spence's Obituary
Wanda Charlene was born to Lola Leo Forbes McIntire and Ora McIntire on October 30, 1934. She was the third child to Ora and Lola, born at her Grandma Mary Alice Ackley's home at 23rd and Monroe Streets in Unionville, Missouri. She was raised with love by her Daddy, Earl Stanley Brown and Lola. Wanda grew up down the block. She attended school and graduated with the Unionville High School Class of 1952.
Wanda fell in love with Robert Dean Spence. They were married on December 24, 1952, in Kirksville, Missouri. From this union, two daughters were born. They welcomed their first baby girl, Sandra Dean, on October 10, 1953. Their second daughter, Sharon Sue, was born in the heat of the summer on July 9, 1955. They started their married life in Newton, Iowa where Robert worked at Maytag. They moved back to Putnam County and purchased the McClure place, adjoining Robert's parents to raise their family.
When Sandy was old enough to start school, they moved to Unionville so the girls would not have to ride the school bus. They lived in town just north of the highway 136 and 5 junction in a house that they purchased from Marceline. They raised their daughters in town until they built their new home at the state line property in 1973. They later built a home west of there, on the Funnell property.
After Robert's death, Wanda lived with her daughter, Sandy, in town to be of help to her through her health troubles. Wanda lived alone and highly independent at the home on Main Street, until she took her first helicopter ride on May 14, 2025, to University of Missouri Hospital. She was able to tell the flight nurse that day that she had never ridden in a helicopter, but she wasn't sure she would remember this one. Wanda spent the next six days trying to recuperate from her stroke with her daughter by her side and family visiting her, but God called her home on Tuesday afternoon, May 20, 2025. Wanda was 90 years old when she passed. She had been adamant she be able to remain at home as long as she could, without going to a care center and she did just that. Just the day before she told Sherry, "I still have a lot of things to do!"
Wanda worked at several places before dedicating her life to being a homemaker and farm wife. She waited tables at the Tumble Inn under the old Rexall- Putnam Fadeless Dye building and sidewalk. Pa Forbes insurance office was also in the upstairs of that building. Wanda could remember walking all the stairs while pregnant with Sandy. She worked at the Tastee Freeze, Ross Produce, and she helped with elections.
Wanda worked alongside Robert on the farm, as well as any man, taking care of cattle, hogs, growing crops, haying and being the ever-essential gate opener. Wanda and Robert always had a large garden. Summer mornings and evenings almost always included time in the garden. She always canned what she harvested.
In her youth and throughout life Wanda had a special love for horses. She was always riding, training and later passing that love on to grandkids and would tell stories about them any chance she got. There was square dancing on foot and on horseback. She liked to tell stories about racing the boys in their cars on her horse, and then when her Daddy would ride the same horse, it would take off running with him. Wanda enjoyed going fishing, cleaning and cooking the fish. She would always clean and cook any fish someone brought to her. She loved to mushroom hunt, pick up nuts, find and pick raspberries and black berries.
She was a great cook, if you were ever at her home, odds are she cooked a meal for you or offered one even if you turned it down. Angel food cakes and any pie you'd ever want, she would make. Her finesse with meringue was the best. Every Christmas season she would make divinity and cinnamon candy. Wanda loved to make wine and Robert loved to make sure everyone had a nip. Her and Robert also loved to sneak away to the catfish place or anywhere good to eat just to get away for a little bit.
Wanda was always drawing, painting or sketching from a young age and mastering the art of cursive. She has paintings, drawing and sketches of her childhood horses, her Pa's farm and her young loves. She kept love letters from Robert Dean, cards from everyone and always kept notes on life and daily experiences through the years.
She was as ornery and sweet as they come. She never met a stranger. She would have a conversation with anyone. The addition of grandkids to her life was a joy and they were able to spend a lot of time with Grandma and Grandpa on the farm. Great grandkids were spoiled like no other by Wanda and Sandy. Each kid and grandkid were able to have a different relationship and dynamic with her through the years, that makes her extra special to each one of them.
Wanda also loved to keep track of her genealogy and was always quick to say she was related to someone if you would mention them or introduce yourself. She enjoyed attending her high school class reunions, and then later the "all school reunions". Many people called her "Red" because of her red hair. Her kids and grandkids celebrated "Wanda the Witch's" birthdays with a Halloween theme nearly every year. Wanda was a member of the First Christian Church of Unionville.
Wanda was preceded in death by her husband Robert Dean, her daughter Sandra Dean just last December, and her parents Stanley and Lola Brown, and twin infant brothers.
Left to honor her memory and fierce independence are her daughter, Sharon Maddaleno (Mark E), grandkids - Charles Robert Simmons (Kris), Mary Jayne Simmons, Johnnie Maddaleno (Mechelia), Trey Maddaleno. Great grandkids - Jake Simmons (Eva Jordan), Jared Simmons (Breann), Chase Simmons (Shaylea Vestal), Lea Simmons and Callysta Jayne Wells. Great-great grandkids - Walker Simmons, and his sibling on the way this fall. She was also preceded in death by numerous cousins and special people in her life as well as those that are still left to honor her life.
To view the livestream of Wanda's services, please visit: https://my.gather.app/remember/wanda-spence
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