Wanda Jean Spears

Wanda Jean Robbins Spears was born to Jerome and Susie Robbins in Parsons, Kansas. Wanda was the youngest of six siblings. She graduated from Parsons High School in 1951. In high school she enjoyed the arts of theater and choir. She retained the love of these all her life. She married her high school sweetheart, Walter H. Smith after graduation. The couple had two children in Kansas and then relocated to Texas where they completed their family with the third child. They settled in Plano, Texas to raise their family.

Wanda put herself through bookkeeping school and started working for First National Bank of Plano and then Capital Wire and Cable also located in Plano. She met and married Don Spears in 1973 and moved to Richardson, Texas until his transfer to Sunnyvale, California in 1975. They returned to Texas in 1977 moving to Houston. During her time with Don, she took to the arts of oil painting and became an instructor in china painting.

She loved to read, sew and garden. She was loved by her many friends and family for her sense of humor and giving nature.

When Wanda retired in 1994, she relocated to The Colony, Texas. She went back to her love of theater, acting in local productions. She liked helping people and loved animals. She worked at the Senior Center and volunteered at the local animal shelter and public library.

She met Lyle Licht at church, they married in 2011. Wanda was later diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Lyle cared for her at home until that was no longer possible. She spent from 2017 until the end of her life at The Bader House for Memory Care located in Plano, Texas.

She passed quietly on Sunday morning, April 3rd, surrounded by her daughters.

She is survived by children: Walter H. Smith, Jr (Melanie) of Rogers, Arkansas; Susan Chaddick (Mark) of Plano, Texas; Patricia Divers of The Colony, Texas. She had five grandchildren: Lisa Smith; Meagan Chaddick; Melissa Neisen (Jeremy); Kyle Divers (Amy); Kailey Divers.  Also surviving her are her 7 great grandchildren: Emma Kaiser, Lane and Bryn Chaddick, Jolie and Mary Kate Neisen, and Braxton and Rigby Divers.

The family would like to give their heartfelt thanks to the Staff and Owners of The Bader House whose care was exceptional. Also, we would like to thank Encompass Hospice Care for all their love, care and devotion during her last years.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service held Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Allen Family Funeral Options.

If desired, contributions may be made in Wanda’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at: https://act.alz.org/donate