Wanda Lea (Crumm) Ellis

Wanda Lea (Crumm) Ellis, age 93, of Norge, Oklahoma was born the youngest child of Jackson R. and Iris Irene (Helton) Crumm on October 17, 1930 in Minco, Oklahoma. She died on February 20th 2024 at her home in Norge. Private burial was in the Pioneer Cemetery. Wanda moved to Norge when she was 13 years old. She married Gene Ellis on November 26, 1945-a union that lasted over 70 years until his death in 2015. She resided most of her 93 years in the Norge area.

Wanda spent most of her younger years raising her children, and working from home as the bookkeeper for her husband's construction businesses. When her youngest child was in high school, she entered the workforce at the request of her brother-in-law, Tuffy, who asked her to help with the Southgate Convenience store until they could close it down. Working out in public agreed with her social tendencies, and she then went to work as a checker for Lightner's Food Store and began selling Avon. Her lifelong love of numbers and mathematics was put to good use helping numerous young store workers with their school math homework. She excelled as an Avon lady, and was the recipient of the prestigious 'President's Award' for numerous years. Wanda was a lover of adventure. In her younger years she loved riding horseback, running barrels, and even attempted goat roping. She loved flying, whether it be a helicopter or an open 2 seater plane. She was even convinced at one point to ride a Segway. Wanda enjoyed camping, gardening and anything she could do while being outside. After retirement, she became a cheerful adult sponsor for Girl Scout camping trips. Her life positively impacted generations of young people.

Wanda is survived by five children; daughter Patricia & husband Jerry Wright of Oklahoma City, OK; son Darrell Ellis of Granite, OK; son Randy & wife Deanna Ellis of Norge; daughter Wanda & husband John Lopez of Norge and daughter Winona Simmons of Cement, OK. Nine grandchildren: Timothy and Sheila Wright of Laurel, Maryland, Curtis and Kelly Rodgers of Blanchard, OK, Barbie and Corbitt Richards of Chickasha, Clint and Crystal Ellis of Alex, OK, Jamie and Eric Wells of Oklahoma City, OK, Chris Simmons of Ninnekah, OK, Sherrie and Jay Evans of Cement, OK, Juanita and Dale Goss of Chickasha, OK and Alicia and Adrian Little of Oklahoma City, OK, as well as 20 great and 15 great-great grandchildren. Wanda is also survived by three sisters-in-law Marcketa Godbehere, of Exeter, CA, Nellie Schiffman, of Chickasha, OK, Patsy Neumann and 1 brother-in-law, Bobby Ellis of  Chickasha, OK. and her special lifelong friends, Tommy and Gladys Pearcy.

Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Eugene Ellis, one infant son, William David Ellis, her parents, JR and Iris Crumm, all of her siblings, Riley Crumm, Frank Crumm, Ora Hand, Bertha McKee, Nora Graham, Wilda Self, Lela Balke, Sam Crumm, Leslie Crumm and Richard Crumm. As well as one son-in-law, H. Darrell Simmons and one great grand son Timothy Wright.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 24th at 2:00 PM. at Trinity Baptist Church; 428 East Almar Chickasha, OK 73018. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Pioneer Cemetery Fund, at Cox Feed Store, 278 Center Avenue, Chickasha, OK 73018.