Obituary

Wanda Lee Barley Foster, born February 22, 1939 in Watalula, Arkansas to Jonnie Eugene and Vera Mae Barley. Wanda moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma when she was two years old. She was the eldest of the five siblings. She has three sisters, Thelma Holt of Moore, Oklahoma, Wilma Lusk of Berryhill, Oklahoma and Linda Barley of Mannford, Oklahoma. She had one brother, Jonnie Ray that preceded her in death. She graduated from Berryhill High Scholl in 1957. She met her future husband, Robert (Bob) W. Foster while she was working as a nurse’s aide at St. John’s Hospital and he was a patient. They married December 24, 1958 and moved to Del Rio, Texas where Bob was stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base. There Robin, their daughter, was born in December 1959. Wanda traveled with Bob and Robin while he was in the Air Force for the next 20 years until his retirement. They lived in Texas, Oklahoma, Okinawa, Maryland and Alaska. While in Alaska, Robin met Jeff Eischens and were later married in 1978. Some of Wanda’s occupations while traveling around the country were beautician, nursing aide in a new born nursery, dental assistant and civil service worker for the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C. When Bob retired from the Air Force in 1977, they moved back to Tulsa and she went to work for the Army Corp of Engineers. After twenty years, she retired as the secretary to the Chief of Operations. After retiring, Wanda still wanted to keep in touch and spend time with her friends and coworkers from the Corps. She decided to fix lunch one or two days a month at noon and her friends from the Corps would come and have lunch at her house and leave a small donation to offset the cost of the meal. She enjoyed those days immensely! She always loved to cook for other people. Some of her famous meals included brisket, king ranch chicken, beans and fried potatoes and tacos, and don’t forget the sweet tea! Wanda joined Southeast Baptist Church in the spring of 1992. She was a very faithful member until her illness caused her to be too weak to go to the services. She was part of the “telecare phone ministry”. After her retirement, she was also involved in vacation bible school during the summers. She also became known for wearing her hats on Sunday mornings. She did love her hats!! Some of her hobbies she had over the years were reading, crocheting, embroidering, crafting and craft shows, playing scrabble, working crossword puzzles and do not disturb her when Jeopardy was on! She was also a member of Toastmaster for quite a few years. She loved family gatherings, especially when we had the big mexican dinners. Wanda loved her family, extended family and many friends she considered family. She was a very loving and compassionate lady. She was a very good listener and confidante to many people throughout the years. She was a wonderful Moma, mother-in-law, Nana, Nana Wanda and sister (Sissy). Wanda always tried to lead by example so we wouldn’t be misguided. Her two grandchildren, David and Mandy were extreme blessing to her. She loved being their Nana. She loved her great grandchildren too. She liked to compare them to their parents and their papa buddy (which none of them knew). She will be greatly missed, but knowing she is in the presence of the Lord and with many friends and loved ones who have gone before her is a great comfort at this time. We invite you to share your favorite memory of Wanda in the online guest-book.