Obituaries

“Jack’s out working, and I’m out playing, and that’s just the way I like it” ~ Wanda Reed

Following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s, Wanda Lea Bailey Reed of Glenville, WV passed away while sleeping peacefully on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at the age of 84 years.

Wanda will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 65 blissful years, Andrew Jackson “Jack” Reed; her three wonderful sons: Berkley T. Reed of Glenville, WV Bradley L. Reed and wife Glen of Charleston, WV and Benjamin L. Reed and wife Kimberly of San Diego, Ca. Her grandchildren, whom she absolutely adored; Jake and Bandit Reed (fur grand-dogs); JoAnna Rose and husband Justin, Jackson Reed; Collin Tuck and wife Ashly, Presley Tucker, Grayson Tucker, Morgan Reed and Sean Reed. As well as two great-grandchildren; Astrid and Edie Tuck. Wanda is survived by her brother; Perry Bailey of Manassas, Va and a Sister-in-Law, Cricket Reed of Glenville, WV. Wanda will be sorely missed by numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved and touched deeply. She will also be so dearly missed by her very best and longest friend Mary Lee McPherson of Burnsville, WV.

She leaves behind a family that she was very proud of. Wanda was world-renowned for her lack of patience, not holding back her opinion and a knack for telling it like it is. She always told you the truth even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear.

It was the school of hard knocks (Camp Wanda) and yes we were told many times just to suck it up. With that said she was genuine to a fault, a pussy cat at heart (or lion) and yet she sugar coated nothing.
The words of encouragement, wisdom, and sometimes comfort, kept us in line, taught us the “school of hard knocks” and gave us something to pass down to our children. Everyone always knew where you stood with her. She liked you or she didn’t, it was black or white. As her three boys are still trying to figure out which one it was for them (they know she loved them more than anything).
All who loved her, loved her dearly and will never forget her tenacity, wit, charm, grace (when pertinent) and undying love and caring for them.

Wanda graduated Glenville High School in 1956 “ Home of the Red Terrors”. She then went on to graduate Glenville State College in 1960 with a teaching degree and six month twin boys in tow, yes, you read that right. It was then that she and Jack moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma and put down roots. While working as a school teacher at Carnegie Elementary School, Wanda obtained her Master’s Degree at Tulsa University. She then went to teach at McArthur Elementary School. And finally become a counselor at Hawthorne Elementary School, where she later became principal and eventually retired from the Tulsa Public School System.

To this day, Wanda receives phone calls, letters and cards from past students that she taught and made an impact and impression on.

Both retired, Jack and Wanda moved back to their hometown of Glenville, WV. It was there that Wanda became a volunteer at Gilmer County High School, again making a huge impact on students and staff. Wanda taught golf every summer to the youth with the 4H. She volunteered many other ways by participating on boards with the schools, city, county, college.. etc. “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart” and my oh my did Wanda have a heart.

Candy, Wanda was well known for loving and sharing candy. She always had double bubble gum, peppermints and other various candies. Wherever Wanda was, there was candy being passed around; church, ballgames, school.. etc.

If you were ever at a high school or college ballgame, then you surely remember and had the privilege in hearing Wanda yelling and cheering for her favorite blue and white teams.
Until her health condition made it impossible, Wanda attended church at First Baptist Church and Glenville Christian Chapel, both of Glenville, WV.
“Unless you knew Wanda before the illness you really can’t understand how truly sad this really is.”
Wanda had a wonderful life and thank you to all who made it so.

Funeral Services as follows…
Friends are invited to share their memories of Wanda with her family during visitation at Ellyson Mortuary, Inc., (2 Vanhorn Drive, Glenville, WV 26351) on Sunday, April 30, 2023 from 12 noon until 3:00pm at which time a service will be held with Pastor Jim Huff officiating. Graveside service to follow in the Meadow Lane Cemetery near Glenville, WV.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to one of the following;
Gilmer County High School Emergency Student Fund
Wanda Reed Glenville State University Teacher Scholarship

Ellyson Mortuary, Inc.,, is honored to assist the the family of Wanda Lea Bailey Reed with burial arrangments.