Wanda L. Thornton, formerly of Wellington, Kansas passed away at her home in Winfield, Kansas on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at the age of 94. She was born the daughter of Leslie and Faye (Haskins) Brachear on November 6, 1927 in Arkansas City, Kansas. Wanda and James D. Thornton were united in marriage on September 25, 1949 in Winfield, Kansas. They shared 24 years together before his tragic death in 1973. She graduated as a Registered Nurse from the William Newton Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Winfield.
Wanda worked as a Health Facility Surveyor for the State of Kansas, retiring in 1988. She was also a volunteer for the Red Cross. Wanda had a take-charge personality. She was on the Wellington Planning Commission and also served on the board at Wheat Capitol Manor. She most recently was on the residence counsel at Cumbernauld Village in Winfield. Wanda loved hot coffee and especially birds. She had multiple bird feeders and loved watching the birds.
Survivors include her son, Gary and wife Linda Thornton of Raleigh,North Carolina; daughter, Vicki and husband Bill Akers of Douglass, Kansas; granddaughters: Sara (Justin) Carpenter of Raleigh, North Carolina; Staci (Joseph) Musemanno of Jacksonville, Florida and Kimberly (John) Gash of Augusta, Kansas; grandsons: James (Holly) Akers of Humbolt, Kansas; Garrett Akers of Douglass, Kansas; 14 great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents and husband. The family will hold services for Wanda at a later date at the Highland
Cemetery in Winfield, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be given to Overflowing Hands Inc., 1500 Briarwood Place, Raleigh, North Carolina 27614 or the Douglass Senior Center, 124 West 4th Street, Douglass, Kansas 67039.
Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home. To share a memory, leave condolences or sign her digital tribute wall visit
www.cornejofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Cornejo Funeral Home + Crematory, 1030 Mission Road, Wellington, Kansas.
