Obituary for Wanda Whiting

Wanda Lee Whiting

September 5, 1933 – October 10, 2019

Wanda Lee Stracener Whiting, age 86, resident of Edmond, formerly of Ponca City, went to rest in the loving arms of her Lord Jesus Christ on Thursday, October 10, 2019 in Edmond.

A memorial ceremony to Wanda’s life will be held at 2:00 pm, October 15, 2019 at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Michael Taylor of the First Baptist Church officiating. Wanda will be laid to rest privately at Resthaven Memorial Park in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Wanda was born on September 5, 1933 to Jasper Stracener and Thelma Freeman Stracener in England, Arkansas. She was raised on a farm outside England and attended England High School and was a skilled basketball player. A few years after high school, she started her family with the birth of her daughter Donna, then son Rick, and son Larry as the youngest. She worked hard to care for her family and later began working as a bookkeeper at the family flooring shop. As time progressed, she later worked for Continental Can on the assembly line and then worked in retail at Dean’s Stork Shop. Later in life, she met Richard Whiting through a local social club. They dated and were married after he convinced her they should be together. They loved to go to travel across the country. As well, they found great joy in decorating the house for Halloween, and meticulously counted the candy handed out. Wanda had great friends and memories with her sorority sisters in Ponca City. Wanda had a sensitive heart which enabled her to empathize with others’ struggles and for animals. She was always rooting for the underdog. Kind and considerate were terms Wanda exemplified as she worked with the people in her life. Her family will remember her as a great cook with fond memories of the chocolate gravy. Family was the most important element of Wanda’s life. Wanda’s grandchildren were always in her heart and she made special efforts to be present on their birthdays.

Survivors include her beloved children: Donna Bickle of Mustang, OK, Rick Strawn of Ponca City, Larry Strawn and wife Sarah of Edmond, adored grandchildren: Kenda Mitchum and husband Greg of Bridge Creek, OK, Chad Bickle of Oklahoma City, Denise Wilson and husband Zach of Chickasha, OK, Tiffany Strawn and wife Tara of Ponca City, Ricky Strawn, Jr. of Ponca City, Elizabeth Shoemaker and husband Jason of Edmond, OK, David Strawn and wife April of Colorado Springs, Co, Michael Strawn of Edmond; cherished great grandchildren: Garrett Mitchum, Caleb Mitchum, Natalie Hamlin, Kenzi McWhorton, Kiley McWhorton, Kade Ditmore, CharlieAnn Shoemaker and Jet Shoemaker.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, husband Richard, sisters: Carol June Stracener and Ruby Shaw, brothers: Tommy Stracener and J.C. Stracener.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Opportunity Center, 2225 N. Union, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home