Wanda Cope (Hartville)'s Obituary
Wanda Faye Cope, daughter of Samuel and Ola Claxton Cravens, was born October 8, 1929 near Hartville, Missouri. She was taken into the Lord’s care Thursday evening surrounded by family in the Hartville Care Center, at the age of eighty-seven years.
On October 18, 1949, Wanda was united in marriage to Vance Keith and to this union two daughters, Karen and Kathy, were born. After Vance passed Wanda was united in marriage to Darrell Cope on March 14, 1998.
Wanda is preceded in death by her first husband Vance Keith; her parents, Samuel and Ola Cravens; her brother, Gene Cravens; and a son-in-law, Kent Claxton.
She is survived by her loving husband, Darrell Cope of the home; two daughters, Karen Ellis and her husband Jim of Mountain Grove, and Kathy Claxton of Hartville; five grandchildren, Kristi Johnson and her husband Lance of Springfield, Amber Williams and her fiancé Jason, of Hartville, Jason Claxton and his wife Emily of Wildwood, Jared Claxton and his fiancé Ashley of Ozark, and Dana Ellis of Huntington Beach, California; four great-grandchildren, Mikayla and Blake Williams, Bryce Johnson, and Ava Adamson; two step-children, Bob Cope and his wife Greta of Hartville, and Pamela Latimer and her husband Larue of Hartville,; three step-grandchildren, Aaron Cope and his wife Nicole, David Dennis and his wife Melony, and Marianne Delcour; three step great-grandchildren, McKenzie, Daniel, Cameron, and John; six brothers and sisters, Jack Cravens and his wife Patty of Lebanon, Sue Hensley of Hartville, Linda Blankenship and her husband Glen of Mansfield, Wilda Peterman and her husband Gene of Jackson, Jerry Cravens and his wife Kathy of Butler, Larry Cravens and his wife Nancy of Lebanon, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Helen Cravens of Mansfield; many cherished nieces, nephews and friends.
Wanda was born and raised in Hartville and graduated from Hartville High School in 1947. After she graduated high school, she worked at the USDA office for a few years. Later, after she and Vance were married she went to beauty school and opened up Wanda’s Beauty Shop in her own home to serve the ladies of Hartville.
Wanda professed her faith in Christ at an early age and was a member of the Hartville Free Will Baptist Church. She was very involved with the church and loved to see the programs they provided succeed.
Wanda was very much involved with politics. She spent several years as a city council woman and served two terms as the mayor of Hartville. Wanda was also a member of the Rebekah Assembly and served as president of the Rebeka Assembly of Missouri for one year. She was also very much involved with the Garden Club. Wanda truly served her community as much as she could.
Wanda loved to sew, stitching together many items of clothing for everyone to enjoy. She also liked to go out and plant flowers and vegetables in her garden. Later in her life, Wanda also enjoyed traveling with Darrell, going all over the U.S. and while Darrell was President of the Odd Fellows, she would travel with him to different parts of Missouri to see the various Odd Fellow Halls. But most of all, Wanda loved her family very much.
Wanda was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. We celebrate her wonderful life and will always cherish the many happy memories she created with us.
What’s your fondest memory of Wanda?
What’s a lesson you learned from Wanda?
Share a story where Wanda's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Wanda you’ll never forget.
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