Wanda Jean Elder

Wanda Jean Elder, 85, a retired seamstress went to be with our Lord Friday, December 27, 2019 in Decatur.

A Celebration of Life is  from  10 to 11 am Saturday, January 25, 2020 at  the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, with a Funeral Mass to follow at 11 am.

Wanda was born on June 19, 1934 to Steele and Adele (Meyer) Thames in Dickens, Texas. She was united in marriage to William "Billy Jeff" Elder on December 7, 1951 in Decatur. She was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Decatur. She not only worked as a seamstress many years but was a loved caregiver and frequently volunteered at the Wise County Special Olympics.  Wanda took pride knowing she not only was "Granny" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren but was "Granny" to everyone else

She was preceded in death by her husband; her daughter, Jana Smith; and her grandson, Robert Lenn Smith.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are her son, Jeff Elder and wife, Kasi of Decatur; her daughters, Susan Craven of Decatur, Jayne Sherman and husband Randy of Decatur, and Jean Gillespie of Whitesboro; her 11 grandchildren; her 9 great grandchildren, son-in-law, Robert “Bob” E. Smith of Alvord; brother, Fr. Robert Thames of Bolivia; sisters, Mary Ruth Creamer of Auburn, MA, and Shirley Banks and husband Dean of Yuba City, CA; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.