Wanda Sparrow Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Wanda Sparrow, age 75, of rural Afton, Oklahoma passed from this life on Saturday May 8, 2021 at St Francis Hospital in Tulsa. Wanda was born on February 23, 1946 in Neosho, Missouri to Coray and Marie (Stanley) Allen. Wanda attended Joplin High School in Joplin, Missouri. After graduation she became a beautician. She opened her own shop in Carterville, Missouri and appropriately named it Wanda’s. Wanda married Gary Sparrow in 1991 in Joplin. They made their home in Purcell, Missouri. In 2007 they made the move to the Grand Lake area near Ketchum, Oklahoma. Wanda, who is described as strong-willed and fearless, enjoyed life to the fullest. Gardening and canning her own homegrown vegetables were two of her passions that few could surpass. She was also a terrific cook, and she could also loop and hook the crochet needles like a pro. Wanda greatly enjoyed fishing with her husband and spending time on the lake. She was one of the most amazing, self-sacrificing, selfless, courageous beautiful woman, inside and out, but also one of the most stubborn. She was always there when advice was needed, a shoulder to cry on, or just someone to talk to. Her will to live is what kept her family going during family health problems, as well as her own. She understood because she had been there. If it were possible to climb the stairway to Heaven her family would be there. Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, sister Waunetta Loucks, brother Leon Allen and daughter Dorothy Goertz. Left to cherish her memory are husband Gary; two sons, Jesse Leroy Higginbotham and wife Kendel of Oronogo, Missouri and Jeremy Shane Higginbotham of Carterville, Missouri; Sister Wilma Aronhalt of Afton, Oklahoma, and brothers Wayne Allen of Seneca, Missouri and LeRoy Allen and wife Connie of Webb City, Missouri; 6 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. There will be a visitation for family and friends from 11am-1pm on Saturday, May 15th, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 pm, both at Nichols-Stephens Funeral and Cremation Services, 10201 US Hwy 59, Grove, OK 74344 (918-786-6761).

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Wanda Sparrow

February 23, 1946 - May 8, 2021