Wanda Lee Garner-Austin

Wanda Lee Garner Austin was born on Friday, March 1, 1929 in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of Dolphen and Mattie (Thompson) Sowersby. She passed from this life in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. She was 94 years of age. The former Miss Wanda Lee Sowersby was a 1948 graduate of Norwood, Missouri high school. After high school, she joined her family who had moved to Tulsa. She took a job at the Model commercial laundry, where she met her life-long best friend, Dora Foster, who became like a sister to her. She attended business college in Tulsa which opened doors for her to take clerical positions during the 1950s in a Driver’s License office, Bell Clothing Store and for Christian Evangelists, TL and Daisy Osborn. She was married to William Verl Garner on January 4, 1958 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Verl’s residence was on a ranch owned by a Tulsa Oilman near Kansas, Oklahoma. This is where they established their home and added 5 children to Verl’s existing family. In 1974, they moved near Siloam Springs, AR and lived in or near Siloam Springs until 1999. Verl preceded her in death on July 31, 1996. From 1999 until 2003, Wanda lived in Broken Arrow, near several of her children. She married Doyle Austin, a recently widowed friend from her youth, on April 12, 2003 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Their home was in Pryor, OK. Doyle preceded her in death on June 30, 2013. Wanda soon moved back to Tulsa/Broken Arrow where she lived out the rest of her days, many of them spent with her sister, Audra. While married, Wanda was employed as a seamstress for a hosiery factory and for La-Z-Boy Furniture Factory. She enjoyed quilting, flower gardening and cooking, her apple pie was a favorite. She loved any kind of flower bouquet, peaches and Dr Pepper. She taught Sunday School in her early days and was always involved in church. She was known for her generous heart, always willing to give or share from whatever she had. She kept a positive attitude and was always able to find the good in any situation. In her adult life, she attended Assembly of God churches in Tulsa, Colcord, and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma as well as the Siloam Springs, Arkansas Assembly of God. She also attended Encounter Church in Tulsa and Trinity Church in Pryor, Oklahoma. She leaves a tremendous legacy through her love, generosity and time spent with her family and friends. The family would like to thank Assured Home Health, Amada Senior Care and A-Vow Hospice for their care for Wanda in her final weeks. Her family requests memorial gifts to be made to The Assembly at Broken Arrow, Neighbors and Nations (Missions), 3500 W New Orleans Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. She is survived by: Daughters: Kathy Inglett, Broken Arrow, OK, Joy and husband Peter Kovaleski, Tulsa, OK, Judy Garner Clark, Siloam Springs, AR Sons: Roger and wife Carolyn Garner, Broken Arrow, OK, Allen Reece and wife Paula Garner, Broken Arrow, OK, Ron and wife Staci Garner, Lufkin, TX Grandchildren: Alisa, Chris, Rachel and Jake, Michael, Richard, Anna and Nick, Brianna, Bridget, Brooke Great Grandchildren: Celeste, B.J., Rosilee, Rowan, Noah, Theo, Owen Sister: Audra Sowersby, Tulsa, OK Brothers: Joe Sowersby, Mannford, OK, Jim and wife Barbara Sowersby, Branson, MO She was preceded in death by her parents, Dolphen and Mattie, her step-mother, Blanche, and a son, Tommy.

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Wanda Lee Garner-Austin

March 1, 1929 - September 13, 2023