Wanda Joy Wooley

Wanda Joy Wooley

1939 – 2024

Wanda Joy Wooley, 84, passed away peacefully into God’s loving hands with family by her side on July 16, 2024. She joins her beloved husband John who preceded her in death on Oct. 21, 2023.

Wanda’s life began in England, Arkansas where she was born on Nov. 26, 1939, to beloved parents Cecil Osco and Velma Waddle. She spent her early years in Sacramento, CA where her father was a pro baseball player in the minor leagues.

After his retirement, the family moved back to England, AR., where Wanda enjoyed her high school years and family life which revolved around her father’s career at Winrock Farms managing the farm operations for John D. Rockefeller’s grandson…former Arkansas Governor Winthrop Rockefeller. The family had fun being with him at the cattle farms so they could watch the giant red Santa Gertrudis cattle roam throughout Ada Valley and Petit Jean Mt. Wanda grew up a natural athlete like her father and enjoyed participating in sports, was a high school cheerleader, and later became an accomplished tennis player.

Aside from her noted athleticism, she was often acknowledged for her natural beauty & grace, which would eventually lead her down a path into fashion modeling.

Upon graduation she moved to Memphis, TN to continue her education in dental hygiene. During this time, she was recruited by a local modeling agency, and was hired by Neiman Marcus and Levy’s department store for numerous print, modeling and ad campaigns.

Her career as a dental asst. and model eventually led her to Little Rock, AR. There, she met the love of her life and future husband John on the dance floor. It was love at first dance. They eventually married and relocated to Dallas, TX., and resided on Lovers Lane, so befitting of these two. They later moved to OKC and established a home in Edmond, raising two wonderful children. They shared a blessed life of 63 years together enjoying family life, dear friends, their church and a shared love of tennis.

Wanda had so many great years on the tennis court and was an active player and member in OKC tennis circles. She also was a former USTA ranked District and Missouri Valley singles and doubles champion back in her heyday. She even teamed with her husband John to win several mixed doubles titles, and enjoyed playing tennis with family and friends into her 80’s.

She was also an avid tennis volunteer, instructor and promoter of the sport, and her work as a steering committee member to bring Billy Jean King and the famed Virginia Slims Women’s Pro tennis tour to OKC in the 1970’s was a huge success. As her tennis career slowed down, her modeling career came back around. She was represented by her longtime friend and talent agent Patty Gears and was cast in many local OKC tv and print ad campaigns, and also worked in film roles such as The Dennis Byrd Story among others.

Wanda lived a purposeful life that was always fueled by her strong Christian faith, her compassion and care for others, and a deep love for all her family, and beloved husband John.

Her warm southern hospitality and values, strong faith and friendly nature were always her steadfast monikers in business and in life, which was such a gift and blessing to us all. She was a much beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother who loved spoiling her 4 grandchildren every chance she got and all her family and friends with her delicious southern cooking, hours of backyard fun on the family tennis court and her famous sweet tea! Wanda will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Wanda and John were founding members of New Covenant Church in Edmond. The family would like to acknowledge their wonderful ministry of support during Wanda and John’s ending days. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to the church’s endowment fund.

Wanda is preceded in death by her parents, husband John, sisters Patricia Harris and Doris Whittaker, and a brother JR Waddle.

She is survived by her daughter Angie (Sam) Fotopoulos, Prairie Village, KS. and a son John Lawrence Wooley II (Shawna) Edmond, OK., grandchildren, Chris Fotopoulos, Prairie Village, KS., Mimi Fotopoulos, Marina Del Rey, CA., Trip Wooley, and Jake Wooley, Edmond, OK., sisters Donna Isaac, Eloise Morten and Kelley Waddle, Cabot, AR., brothers Glenn Waddle, Woodward, OK., Robert Waddle and Joe Waddle, Cabot, AR., as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

A private graveside service and celebration of life will be held by family at Gracelawn Cemetery on Tuesday, July 23.

3 thoughts on “Wanda Joy Wooley”

  1. Melissa Payne Schaffer

    Such a lovely tribute to your mother Angie. Thinking about you all and have you in our prayers. Sending you peace, love and wonderful memories of your beloved Wanda Joy.
    Love, Missy, Tim, Sophie and Lilly Schaffer

  2. The Langes

    I standing on a tennis court struggling to teach my two girls the basics of tennis when Wanda walks up, introduces herself, and then proceeds to teach both of my girls how to make contact and follow through. Not long after that, I hired her to coach my girls through a couple of seasons as I didn’t have near the skill set Wanda had. She had the patience of Job and the wisdom of Solomon when it came to coaching. 17 years later, we still occasionally bring up her name when discussing great people we have known. Godspeed Wanda.

  3. Earline Baker

    We only recently learned that your dear Mom had passed away. It was then that we found out that you Dad had also passed. Earl and I have happy memories of playing tennis with your parents when we
    were just learning to play. Wanda and I were partners in a few tournaments and often played singles against each other. Times changed, your parents moved to Edmond and we joined Woodlake Racquet Club. Unfortunately, we didn’t see each other much after that.
    We are so sorry for your loss. Asking God to enfold you in his faithful love and comfort you with the
    cherished memories you hold dear.

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