Wanda Marie Hayes

Wanda Marie Hayes, age 72, won her battle with dementia and passed away peacefully on January 21, 2021. Born on November 10, 1948, in Duncan, Oklahoma, she was the only child of Ray and Faye Hayes.

Wanda grew up in the Marlow area of Oklahoma and attended school at Central High. She attended college at Southeastern University in Durant, Oklahoma. Wanda was blessed with three daughters whom she lovingly raised in Van Alstyne, Texas. She worked for over 30 years as a customer service representative at Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative in Van Alstyne in which she retired from in 2013. Wanda attended Cannon Baptist Church for many years. Her giving spirit and servant’s heart touched all of those who knew her.
Wanda’s life was filled with her love for her family; her GCEC work family; art; music; and everything old. She attended countless football games, basketball games and other school functions supporting and cheering on her girls. She was a local celebrity with her sign paintings and a VIP at Arby’s in Sherman, TX, where she could be found on most Friday evenings with her granddaughter, Hunter Leslie. Many a movie was watched from her lap and she dearly loved all three of her grandchildren. Her white 1967 Mustang was a prized possession and she was a life-long collector of antiques. She shared her love of painting through her art classes and many of her signs were gifted. Additionally, she was co-owner of The Hen House located in Van Alstyne, TX, where several local artists displayed and sold their artwork. Wanda was well known for her storytelling and her true love of laughter.

Wanda is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Diana and Keith Simco of Van Alstyne, TX; her daughter and son-in-law Jeannee and Jeff Phillips of Joshua, TX; her daughter Crystal Harp of Dallas, TX and her three grandchildren Hunter Simco, Jake Phillips and Jaci Phillips.

The celebration of Wanda’s life has been rescheduled to Saturday, March 27, 2021, at 2 p.m. at a graveside service in the Marlow Oklahoma Cemetery. While flowers are welcome, the family asks for any donations to be made to the American Brain Foundation or Heart to Heart Hospice of Cleburne, TX. Additionally, her classmates from Central High are accepting donations on her behalf for the “Central High Scholarship Fund.”

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her. Luke 1:45