Vondel L. Smith Mortuary @ South Lakes

Visitation will be from 4-8 PM on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Services to celebrate her life will be held 2 PM Wednesday at Wilmont Place Baptist Church 6440 S Santa Fe Ave, Okla. City, OK 73139 with burial following at Resthaven Memory Gardens.

Memorials may be made to Gideon's International, 113 N. Division, Guthrie, OK 73044.


Wanda was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Dorothy Avery; granddaughter Amy K. Miller; son-in-law Danny Miller and brother Don Avery. She is survived by her husband, Les; daughters Pat Miller; Jan Hinkle & husband Doug; son David Potts and wife Liz; brother & sister-in-law Carl Avery and Wanda; sister-in-law Sandy Avery; 10 grandchildren Justin Miller, Adam Miller and wife Jackie, Jason Davis and wife Amanda, Bryan Davis and wife Amber, Stephen Hinkle and wife Liz, Jonathan Hinkle and wife Lori, Joshua Hinkle and wife Amanda, Josiah Hackney and husband Daniel, Elizabeth Buerger and husband Stephen, and Anna Hinkle; 22 great grandchildren and numerous beloved nieces and nephews, and a host of dear friends. An excellent wife, who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:10-12. Wanda was a tenacious, remarkable woman. Whatever she did, from her youth up, she jumped in with both feet and gave it her all! At an early age, she moved to Covington, Oklahoma, with her parents and two younger brothers. In Covington she attended school and church and became skilled in cooking and sewing. In high school her interests expanded to basketball and a part time job as a waitress at the Do-Drop-Inn, where she met a handsome, just out of the Navy sailor, whose job was driving a truck delivering groceries to stores in small towns. On June 27, 1947, Wanda said, “I do,” to that handsome young man not knowing all the many things she would be doing – all the joys and sorrows they would share together the next 70 years. Wanda was a devoted wife and mother. One of her early interests was photography. She loved taking pictures of her family and organizing them in albums. She became the family’s photo historian, recording the events of their lives through pictures. The only negative that developed: because she was taking all the pictures, she wasn’t in them! As a homemaker and mom she managed to prepare delicious meals, always with great tasting desserts, sew most of her children’s clothes, be involved in the PTA, plan and give her children birthday parties, work in the yard, bathe the dogs, iron her husband’s work uniforms; all the while keeping a spotless house! Wanda worked hard to obtain her Real Estate license at the young age of 26. Back then, there were no schools to help you study, no online courses; just a manual to study. When she failed the test the first time, one of the examiners, a man, (back then real estate was considered a man’s profession), told her she should just forget becoming a realtor and stay home like a woman should. Her tenacity and determination kicked in! The next time she took the test, she passed! Her real estate career lasted 55 years. Through real estate, she was able to help hundreds of people and become a dear friend to many. During this same period of time, Wanda was the accountant and check writer for Potts Dry Wall, her husband’s business. In the 70s and 80s, she also assisted Les in their home building pursuit. As real estate was moving to computers, Wanda enrolled in a computer class at OCCC so she could navigate and better promote her business online. She created her own website that drew many out of state buyers to her lake property listings. All the while Wanda and Les were working so hard with their businesses; they managed to have fun with their children and their children’s friends. Weekend trips to the lake, water skiing from dawn to dusk, outdoor church services followed by an amazing breakfast. Les once said that Wanda would try to do anything he asked her. To please him, she tried the ski jump ramp at Ft Cobb Lake – that didn’t end too well. On most Sundays, after feeding a group of students from Midwest Christian College plus other teenagers that loved being with Les and Wanda, she would join in softball games (she could slug that ball) or join the group swimming at Midwest Christian College or ride her motorcycle with her family and their friends. One time, the family cycled all the way to Turner Falls and back. Fun memories! In 1993, Wanda and Les moved to the Lake Eufaula area to “retire.” She never retired from real estate and he never quit working. Work is just in their DNA. Their home was beautiful and it wasn’t long until her real estate signs were all over the area. They truly enjoyed their life there being a part of the lake community and Lindsay Chapel Baptist Church. Wanda was active in Sunday school, VBS, women’s Bible studies, retreats, and fellowship opportunities. Her giftings of hospitality, cooking, sewing, crocheting, and crafting blossomed once again. In 2012, due to Wanda’s early stage of dementia, she and Les moved back to Oklahoma City next door to one of their daughters. Their home looks like a page out of a Better Homes and Garden magazine, thanks to Les. He has been housekeeper, gardener, cook, laundry man, and her main care giver. As a faithful husband, he was committed to keeping Wanda at home and giving his bride the best care possible, and that he did. Capitol Hill Full Gospel Church became their new church home where they have many beloved friends. Before they ever moved back, Wanda already knew Pastor Jim and Sister Carol. She met them through real estate.

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