Wanda Lea Coleman, age 80, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Monday, January 24, 2022 at Capital Region Medical Center.
Wanda was born on April 28, 1941 in Jefferson City, Mo., the daughter of Otis Frank and Hazel Belle (Smith) Miller. She married George E. Smith, and to this union, their children were born. On September 15, 1987, Wanda married Richard A. “Dick” Coleman in St. Clair, Mo. Dick preceded Wanda in death on July 11, 2005.
A lifelong resident of the Central Missouri area, Wanda worked hard to earn her GED from Jefferson City High School.
Wanda worked various state and retail jobs throughout her life, but the job she enjoyed the most was being the homemaker of her home. More than anything, Wanda loved being a mother and that was reflected in the love she had for her children.
When her children were young, Wanda stayed involved in her children’s Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts activities.
Wanda was raised a farm girl, the second youngest of a large family and had many fond memories of her years of work on the family farm growing up. When she became a mother herself, she quickly earned the title of “go-to mom” of the neighborhood and all of the kids came to her to be patched up when needed. Wanda loved watching sports on tv, especially the Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, and NASCAR Racing. She deeply enjoyed spending time with her family. Some of her favorite memories come from hosting Monday Night Poker with her nieces and nephews, going fishing, and traveling to Montana to visit her sister. Wanda kept her mind sharp by doing jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, and word searches even up to the last weeks of her life and could often be found engrossed in a good romance novel. Wanda will be remembered for her bubbly spirit and always having an infectious smile on her face.
Survivors include: four children, Keith Smith (Carrie) of Jefferson City, Mo., Kenny Smith (Robin) of Jefferson City, Mo., Pam Smith-Frank (Richard) of Frederickson, Va., and Danial Smith (Kathy) of Jefferson City, Mo.; one step-son, Steve Coleman (Colinda) of St. Clair, Mo.; one sister, Margaret Brandt (Leo) of Kalispel, Mt.; 12 grandchildren, Stephen, Shawn, Mandy, Thomas, Ashley, Sara, Joey, Jessica, Jennifer, Danielle, Kaylee, and Kecia; and 21 great-grandchildren.
Wanda was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and six siblings, Dorthy Turpin, Doris Baron, Betty Miller, Patsy Bungart-Stegman, Claude Miller, and Billie Schaffrin.
Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2022. A Celebration of Life will follow at 6:30 p.m. in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Steve Nelson officiating.
Graveside services and internment will be conducted at Midlawn Memorial Gardens in Union, Mo.
A webcast of the service will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday for friends that are not able to attend by going to her memorial page on Freeman Mortuary’s website. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online to be given to her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Lung Association.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.