Wanda Smith

Wanda June Conger Smith, 86, of Claremore, passed away in Claremore on January 11, 2022. June was born in Weleetka, OK, on November 11, 1935, to Dorthea Mae Burkehead and Carl Bailey Williams.

She attended high school in Weleetka, OK. June worked as a cashier at Lander's Grocery for 25 plus years, where everybody knew and loved her. June enjoyed spending time with her family and attending and serving in her church. Her claim to fame is that she was the first female machinist at Funk's Manufacturing Co. That was in 1971, so that was a big deal back then. In 1986, she also opened her home to kids in the foster system. During her 30 years doing that she was able to love and help over 100 children. She loved her foster kids as if they were her own. Several of them still call her mom and their kids call her gammy.

June is survived by 7 children, Debra Fields of Shawnee, Barbara Dawson and husband, Gary of Nowata, Bob Conger of Nowata, Glenda Sheets and her husband, Larry of Nowata, Ginger Bohannan and her husband, Bo of Ochelata, Carrie Brown and her husband, Mark of Claremore and Victoria Para and her husband, Juan of Nowata. Grandchildren Stefanie Kraeer of Shawnee, Danny Dawson and his wife, Heather of Dewey, Samantha Wald and her husband, Zachary of Minnesota, Amber Suffell and her husband, Darrell of Nowata, Jon Conger and his wife, Dawn of Coffeyville, Justin Ramsey and his wife, LaDonna of Talala, Jennifer Shockley and her husband, Matt of Oologah, David Bohannan and his wife, Ashley of Nowata, Tessie Bohannan of Claremore, Chris Brown and his girlfriend, Tawni of Claremore and Talisha Wilfong and her husband, Chris of Colorado and Emerald Para of Nowata. She has two great grandchildren, Tod Dawson and his wife, Erin of Norman and Joshua Conger of Coffeyville and 4 great great grandchildren Braden and Peyton Dawson of Nowata and Lily and Josy Dawson of Norman. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Carl and Dorthea Williams, and her brother and sister-in-law Carl and Jean Williams .

Memorial services for Wanda June Smith will be held at the First Church of God on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 11:00 am. Flowers may be sent to Benjamin Funeral Service at 114 W. Cherokee, Nowata. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Benjamin Funeral Service. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com or on our Facebook page.