Wanda Lee Jacobs

ARLINGTON -- Wanda Malone Jacobs, 83, left her earthly loved ones and friends to be with Jesus on Monday, Jan. 27, 2014. Funeral: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, at First Baptist Church, 122 NE Second St., Grand Prairie, with Dr. Bill Skaar officiating. Interment: 2:30 p.m. in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, Lane C. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Wanda was born in the Black Cat Thicket, near Wolfe City in East Texas. She was a graduate of Wolfe City High School and attended East Texas State University. Wanda lived all of her life in Texas in Greenville, Fort Worth, Arlington and Grand Prairie but considered Arlington home, as she lived there for over 50 years. While living in Fort Worth, Wanda worked for State Reserve Insurance Co. Upon moving to Arlington in 1961, Wanda took a break from the work force to lovingly raise her two sons and take care of her husband, family and home. Wanda was an excellent cook, specializing in Southern cuisine. As a mother, Wanda had the magic touch of balancing discipline with fun while stressing the importance of education, teaching her sons the difference between right and wrong, and letting her sons make their own choices with a loving mother's guiding hand. Through her sons' activities, Wanda loved attending sporting events, orchestra and choir concerts and school plays. She was a den mother for the Cub Scouts while specializing in being the publicity chairwoman of the Cub Scout pack. For many years, her family resided in Woodland West and Wanda was the area Avon lady, which she enjoyed very much due to her contact with all of the ladies in the neighborhood. Wanda loved people! Wanda was a lifelong Baptist, having memberships at First Baptist Church of Grand Prairie and University Baptist Church of Arlington. During her active years, Wanda taught girls' Sunday school class and was a member of the WMU and the Senior Choir. Once her sons were raised, Wanda worked with the Arlington Independent School District at C.B. Elementary School, touching and influencing young children, and then at Johnson and Johnson Surgical, touching and influencing corporate America. Wanda loved telling her family about her exciting workdays. In her retirement years, Wanda was a loving "Nana" to her grandchildren, influencing and instilling many of the values in them that she instilled in her sons. Nana's kitchen was always "the place" in the house to be. Wanda dressed up as Amelia Bedelia to bring that Peggy Parish character to life while reading to her granddaughter's elementary school. She loved reading and volunteered at various local libraries. Wanda was preceded in earthly death by her parents, Goldie and Walter Malone; sisters, Christine McKay and Delma Collins; and brother, Tom Malone. Survivors: Her husband of 66 years, Bill Jacobs; sons, Mark Jacobs and Billy Jacobs; granddaughter, Jennifer Bowland; grandsons, Landry Jacobs and Ryan Jacobs; grandson-in-law, Jacob Bowland; sister, Elmona McWhirter; and brother, Melvin Malone. Wade Family Funeral Home Arlington, 817-274-9233 View and sign guestbook at www.star-telegram.com/obituaries