Wanda Lea (Boesl) Parker 1946-2012

Wanda Lea (Boesl) Parker was born on August 5th, 1946 in Waynesville, Missouri to the late Albert Allen and Edna Lea (Harris) Boesl. She joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in heaven along with many family members who had preceded her in death on February 2, 2012 in her home near Richland. Wanda married her loving husband and best friend Charles Louie Parker on October 15th, 1966. The couple was richly blessed with two daughters, Charla Lorraine (Parker) Baker and Kelli Deneen (Parker) Lockhart. She lived on her family farm which was located on the old Brownfield Star Route, (BSR as Wanda referred to it) her entire life. Later in their marriage, heaven split open and two beautiful grandchildren joined this loving family, Jared Eugene Lockhart and Britanea Nicole Lockhart.

Of all the dates Wanda believed were important in her life, the most important one was when she willing accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at Independence Baptist Church near Richland in August 1956. After her salvation she was baptized in the beautiful Gasconade River. She was a member of the Independence Baptist Church for many years, later Buckhorn Baptist Church, near Richland and for the last twenty years was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Richland.

Wanda graduated from Richland High School and furthered her education with Lincoln University while working for the Federal Government. She worked through the summers of her High school years in many diversified jobs at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Her employment with the Federal Government continued after graduation. She left Fort Leonard Wood for ten years, where she worked for the Richland R IV School System in a classroom setting, and later as secretary to the grade school principal, and then to the school Superintendent. After her daughters graduated from high school she once again returned to the Federal Government where she retired as an Editor/Writer from the Engineer School. Wanda also served as District Secretary for State Representative Jim Mitchell.

Wanda was gifted with extraordinary talent in creating, decorating, sewing, knitting, flowers, and cooking. It is believed she made over 2,000 cakes, many wedding, but given a picture she could design anything an individual asked. Her talents didn’t end there, however, she served the Lord by playing the piano, organ, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School, Song Leader, hand making costumes for various presentations and lastly, her great love for the Awana program in which she worked until her health failed.

Wanda showed compassion and concern about others placing her self last as evidenced at the young age of eight. Her father’s death resulted in her mother going to work to support the family leaving her to care for herself and her younger sister to whom she grew very close. Wanda loved family events, celebrations, parties, & holidays. She particularly loved the trips to War Eagle with her family in the fall and dearly loved the Boesl/Vaughn Reunion each year in June. She enjoyed caring for her fish pond, feeding and watching the Coy grow. Wanda loved camping trips, and enjoyed watching and feeding of all birds, especially humming birds.

Wanda had many friends from all Walks of Life. She opened her home to everyone and had a compassionate heart.

Survivors include her husband, Charles Louie Parker of the home, two daughters, Charla Baker and her husband Gary of Richland, Kelli Lockhart and her husband Ross of Bolivar, Missouri two grandchildren, Jared and Britinae Lockhart and one sister Wilma Lorraine (Boesl) Oursbourn and her husband Douglas of Richland, her mother-in-law, Louise Parker of Richland, as well as nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

The number of years God gave us with Wanda seemed short, but will give us memories to last for the rest of our days.

A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 5, 2012 in the First Baptist Church of Richland with Rev. David Brown officiating. Drew Oursbourn gave the eulogy and also recalled loving memories about his beloved aunt. Special music selections include “How Great Thou Art” and “It Is Well with My Soul” by trumpet players Todd and Austin Walker with Janet Walker accompanying them on the piano, Steve Mino and Joseph Miller joined pianist/singer Missy Miller as they sang “The Prettiest Flowers” and “Knowing You’ll Be There”, ending with a congregational song “Ill Fly Away”. Serving as pallbearers were James Ray, Michael Nickels, Mark Hedger, Charlie Firtts, Mark Schneider, Johnny Ray Prewett, Tommy Henson and Mark Tallant. Honorary escorts included Elvis Ogle, Billy Henson, Larry Alexander, Richard Newell, Dr. Art Bryant, David Phelps, James Mitschele, James Mitchell and Jerry George. Burial followed in the Hazelgreen Cemetery, Hazelgreen, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Richland.