Wanda Milligan

Wanda Henrietta Stephens Milligan of Odessa passed away on July 28, 2011. She was the only child born to A.T. Estella Stephens on Dec. 6, 1922 in Phoenix, AZ. She grew up in El Paso, TX graduating from Austin H.S. She worked for the Mountain States Tele. Co. for 11 years. During those years she was president of the Girls Service Organization, G.S.O. They entertained the troops biweekly at the ArmyNavy YMCA for dances and Wanda led the singalongs.

In 1946, she met and married Charles E. Pearson. Their first daughter, Ruthann, was born in El Paso and the second daughter, Julie, arrived after the family moved to Lubbock, TX in 1960. The family was faithful to St. Lukes Methodist Church and always kept close ties to her friends in the John Wesley Class. She was a longtime member of the Heritage Study Club and became a talented china painter.

In 1974, Wanda met and married John A. Milligan. Together they ran a trucking company in Lubbock and travelled extensively to 48 states and Canada. Wanda developed her painting skills by taking lessons focusing on oils and acrylics. John died in 1992 and Wanda remained in Lubbock. She loved people and enjoyed sending cards to ailing friends or calling someone going through a hard time to cheer them up. Wanda painted hundreds of miniature pictures for her friends, including her dear sisters from the Theta Chapter of Phi Sigma Alpha sorority.

In 2006, after a diagnosis of breast cancer and subsequent treatment, Wanda moved to Odessa to be near her daughter Ruthann and family. She lived at Lincoln Tower, making numerous friends during the 5 years there.

She was preceded in death by her parents A.T. and Estella Stephens and husband John A. Milligan. She is survived by her daughter Ruthann Clayton and husband Roger of Odessa, daughter Julie Pearson, of Monroe, LA, stepson John A. Milligan and wife Sabia Ann, of Vienna, VA, grandson Brent Clayton and wife Ivanna of Odessa, granddaughter Brook Hensley and husband Justin of Santa Monica, CA, step grandson John H. Milligan and wife Shannon of Glen Allen, VA, and greatgrandchildren Isaiah Gomez, Kiana Gomez, Noah Clayton, Luke Milligan and Caitlyn Milligan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be sent to Permian Basin Mission Center, 208 Adams Ave. Odessa, TX 79761.

Visitation with the family will be 24 PM Sunday, July 31, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home. Services are scheduled for 10:00 AM Monday, August 1, 2011 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend David Newton officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Sunday, July 31, 2011
2:004:00 PM

Service

Memorial Service

Sunset Memorial Chapel
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Monday, August 1, 2011
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762