Wanda Mayo

Wanda Oleta (Virge) Mayo, 76, went to her heavenly home on Monday, March 8, 2016 at Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Celebration of Life Services will be held Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the Assembly of God Church at 10:00 am. Visitation will take place at Potts Chapel of Independence, Friday, March 11, 2016 8:00-8:00 pm, with family 6:00-8:00pm.
Wanda was born December 24, 1939 in Muskogee, Oklahoma to Ray and Margaret (Clemit) Virge. When Wanda was two the family moved to Independence, Kansas where Wanda grew up and attended school. She graduated from Independence High School in 1958 and went on to attend Independence Community College.
On March 1, 1957, Wanda was united in marriage to Billy A. Barnes. On October 21, 1957, they were blessed with twin sons: Rick and Randy. On September 16, 1967, Wanda married the love of her life, Travis "Tex" Mayo. They were married for forty years until his death in 2007.
Wanda worked at Universal C.I.T. Financial for five years as a customer service representative. For twenty-five years, Wanda worked for Woods Lumber Company. She started as their office manager and ended her career as carpet & cabinet manager. While working at Woods she designed kitchens, which brought her much joy. In 1995 she went to work for Messenger Furniture as a decorating consultant for eighteen years until her retirement. She loved working with her co-workers and her customers at both Woods Lumber and Messenger Furniture.
Wanda loved Independence and could always be found volunteering for something for which she was truly passionate. She was a devoted member of the Chamber of Commerce for many years, served as the 1995 Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, served numerous years as an active member of the Chamber Ambassadors, chaired the Annual Banquet Committee, was awarded Ambassador of the Year in 1998 and received the distinguished Chamber of Commerce Cornerstone Vision award in 2004. Wanda was a Leadership Independence graduate and was a lifetime member and past President of VFW Post 1186 auxiliary, where she served as third district Chaplain for five years. Because of her patriotism, she most recently volunteered her time with Veterans Freedom Square, helping to raise money for a war memorial to be placed at Riverside Park in the near future.
Wanda served on the Independence Main Street Board of Directors, volunteered many hours on the promotions committee, helped with every annual fundraiser and was awarded the Main Street Volunteer award. She was appointed by Governor Graves to serve on the Area on Aging Advisory Board in Topeka. Because of her true passion for people, she volunteered many hours for hospice and the cancer center. Community healthcare was important to Wanda. She served on the Mercy Hospital Foundation Board and volunteered and served as vice president of the Mercy Auxiliary. In honor of her service to healthcare, she was awarded the Mercy Hospital Communitarian award. She served on many other boards including RSVP Four County Mental Health, Independence Country Club, Independence Housing Authority, and Independence Action Partnership. With a true desire to make a difference in the lives of women and girls, Wanda was a charter member of Soroptimist International of Independence and received the Woman of Distinction award.
Always looking for ways to help others and personally suffering with fibromyalgia, she started a support group to help others deal with this painful condition. She was a member of FORPAZ, the Independence Historical Museum and Art Center, the Independence Public Library, Friends Card Club, enjoyed playing in two bunco groups with her friends and attended the First Southern Baptist Church.
Wanda is survived by one brother, John Borovetz of Independence; three sons, Ricky R. Barnes, Randy A. Barnes and wife Ruby, both of Independence, and Donald Mayo and wife Leslie of Great Bend, Kansas; and two daughters, Linda Doub and husband Danny and Shirley Muller, both of Independence. She was blessed with many loving grandchildren: Davin and Trudie, Summer and Stevee, Joey and Marie, Tina, Patrick and Connie, Paula and Dan, Jay and Valerie, Christi and Charlie, Ronnie, Becky and Tyler, Matt and Larissa, Ginger and Brent, Kayla and Chris. She was a proud great-grandmother to Cassaidy, Jessie and Jonathan, Brianna and Britney, Lauren, Whitley, Deacon and Reese, Emery and Melissa, Heidi, Clever, Dalice, Whitney, Keaton, Dalton and Jessie, Julia and Andy, Mia, Andrew and Amberlyn, Brianna, Hayden, Cutter, McKenzie, Rose, Brayden and Ethan. She had three great-great-grandsons: Camden, Blaine and Lakota; five nephews: Greg, Bobby, Alan, Curt, Mike and one niece: Diane. Wanda was loved by many other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and her kindred spirit, Aunt Florence Perna.

Visitation

Potts Chapel
122 South Penn Ave.
Independence, KS  67301
Friday, March 11, 2016
8-8pm, Family recieving 6-8pm

Service

Assembly of God Church
2414 North 8th
Independence, KS  67301
Saturday, March 12, 2016
10am

Cemetery

Mount Hope Cemetery
Penn Ave.
Independence, KS  67301