Wanda Lou Wood

Wanda Lou (Dawson) Wood, 87, passed away peacefully early Monday, December 19, 2022, in Topeka, KS, surrounded by her family. The daughter of Dr. Clyde and Beatrice (Maness) Dawson, she was born in Wichita, KS, in 1935. She married Carlton Harry Wood, whom she met in college, in Indianapolis, IN, in 1956. He preceded her in death in 2004. She attended both Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University), in Bethany, OK and Olivet Nazarene University, in Kankakee, IL, where she met Carlton. After raising her family, she completed her degree in Management of Human Resources at Mid-America Nazarene University, 1989. Her family lived in Illinois, Colorado, Texas, Indiana and Kansas over the years. She served as a secretary/office administrator for many businesses and churches, as well as children's department director at her local church. She spent her last 32 years of employment as the office administrator for the religion department at Mid-America Nazarene University before retiring in 2007. Wanda kept the religion department organized, the professors in line, and counseled/encouraged hundreds and hundreds of students over the years. Her office was a welcoming place for all students, not just religion majors, as they would often go into her office to just sit and talk with her, as she became their mom while at school. Her impact on so many people's lives will never be fully known. Wanda was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. She was known for her smile, her love for others, her quick wit and strong opinions, but mostly for her walk with God, faith in Christ, and strength of character. Her strongest desire was to see others know her Savior like she did.

Her family is grateful to the Lexington Park Health Center and Elara Caring Hospice, who provided caring support for Wanda. She was surrounded by her family, singing Amazing Grace, as she entered into the presence of Jesus.

Wanda was also preceded in death by her parents and her sister Judy Rayburn.

She is survived by her three children, Mark Wood and his wife Jan, Florissant, MO, Philip Wood, Olathe, KS, and Ellen Wood Cox and her husband, Kenton, Topeka, KS. She has nine grandchildren, Caleb (and wife Sarah Beth), Adam, Aaron (and wife Kayli), and Sarah (children of Mark/Jan), Clayton, Hannah, and Elizabeth (children of Philip), Noah, Joshua, and Elijah (children of Ellen/Kenton). She also has 4 great grandchildren (Eden, Aria, Ruby, Primrose). She is also survived by her sister, Joyce Dawson Davidson and sister's husband, Rex, White Rock, NM.

Wanda's family will receive friends beginning at 11:30 am followed by funeral services at 1:00 pm Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at College Church of the Nazarene, 2020 E Sheridan St., Olathe, KS. Burial will be alongside her husband at Spring Hill Cemetery, Spring Hill, KS.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mid-America Nazarene University, Wanda Wood Memorial Scholarship fund.

To leave a message for Wanda's family, please visit the guestbook below.