Juanita Wham was born April 16, 1935 in Cordell, Oklahoma to Earlene (Killer) and G.L. “Jiggs” Botchlet. She passed away Saturday, September 12th, 2020 in Elk City, Oklahoma at the age of 85 years, 4 months and 27 days.
Juanita grew up in Cordell where she attended school and graduated in 1953. After graduation she furthered her education at the Oklahoma City University where she aspired to be an opera singer and was majoring in vocal music. Juanita was one of the original members of the Surrey Singers and a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. During this time, she met Don Wham on a blind date and their romance blossomed and they were married on June 11, 1955. Juanita transferred to Tulsa University where she received her bachelor’s degree in vocal music education. Along with obtaining her degree she also started a family and continued to be a loving wife.
In 1963 she and Don returned to Cordell where she started teaching at Dill City until 1969 when she began teaching at Elk City. In the summer she started working towards her master’s degree at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in vocal music education and obtained her degree in 1970. She remained with the Elk City Public School system for the better part of 35 years until her retirement.
During this time she was very involved with the Miss Elk City/Queen of the West pageant. She worked with the pageant for many years before becoming the pageant director and was currently the director emeritus. Juanita was involved with many events. Among those events she was instrumental in organizing the choral camp at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, member of the arts council and was a contributing member of getting the summer arts program started. She also was a member of Oklahoma and National Music Educators Association where she sent many students to All-State Choir. Her choirs received superior ratings and were consistent Sweepstakes winners.
She was also inducted into the Western Oklahoma Historical Society Hall of Fame. She was a long time member of the Elk City United Methodist Church for 30 plus years. During this time she was the Chancel choir direc tor and eventually became the bell choir director. She took the church choir to Europe and they sang in many cathedrals in several countries. She enjoyed her Sunday school class very much and loved her church family.
During her free time she enjoyed reading, camping with friends, being involved with the Red Carpet Community Theater and spending time with her Steel Magnolias.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, son-in-law, Bill Wilson.
Juanita is survived by her 2 daughters, Carol Wilson, Elk City, OK and Teresa Hintner and husband, Bill, Ninnekah, OK; 5 grandchildren, Heather Sutton and husband, Brandon,
Amarillo, TX, Jon Wilson and wife, Jennifer, Cordell, OK, Ben Wilson and wife, Wendie, Pond Creek, OK, Julie Phillips and husband, George, Yukon, OK and Alicia Baughman and husband, Jason, Lawton, OK; 13 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren and a host of other special cousins, relatives and friends.
Funeral Services were held Friday, September 18, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at Elk City United Methodist Church with Scott Rogers and Ben Pascoe officiating. Burial was held at Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Chris Whinery and the staff of Affordable Cremation Service-West. Condolences can be made online at www.classicfunerals.com.