Wanda Jewell (Smith) Scoles

Wanda Jewell (Smith) Scoles was born to Herman and Viola Faye (Kirks) Smith on July 5, 1933, at Tebbetts, Missouri. She passed into heaven peacefully on the evening of September 26, 2023. She has overcome all the inconveniences of this life and world. Her husband, Rev. Rex Scoles survives in the home.

Wanda has related how she became a born again believer at an early age, having accepted an invitation to go forward to the altar.  She wept, confessed her sins, and asked God to forgive her sins and save her soul, which He did. She grew up helping her family on the farm.  As a young lady, she started attending Kansas City College and Bible School in preparation for whatever God had planned for her life. To support herself, she worked in St. Luke's Hospital as a “nurse-aide” where she cared for newborn babies and their mothers.

During her second year in college, she became acquainted with her future husband, Rex Scoles, who was beginning to prepare for the ministry. They were married the next summer on August 9,1955 at the Church of God (Holiness) at Reform, Missouri, her home church. Wanda completed her third year of college and they decided to begin their family, which precluded finishing her college education. Even without earning a college degree, she became a highly self-educated person in numerous achievements. Her crocheted “doilies” became well known and appreciated. She was skilled at reupholstery, made beautiful, crocheted blankets for new grandchildren, and excelled in cross stitched queen-sized quilts for her daughters and granddaughters. She was a skilled seamstress, making dresses for herself and her daughters and teaching them to sew also.

Wanda was a gracious pastor's wife, loving mother, grandmother, and childcare provider for many children over the years. Over the first twelve years of marriage, God graciously placed into their loving care six children: Brenda Elaine Owens (Charles) of Wentzville, MO, Lyndell Duane Scoles M.D. (Sharen) of Columbia, MO, Janet LaVerne Albertson (Rowen) of Florence, KY, Sherry Janelle Wampler (Timothy) of Mt. Carmel, TN, Marlene Denise DeOrnellis of Columbia, MO, and Wesley Douglas Scoles M.D. (Lisa) of Tallahassee, FL. She is also survived by many precious ones she babysat, now adults with children of their own.

Wanda was blessed with seventeen grandchildren: Rebekah Owens, Leah Owens-Schaper (Michael), Andrew Owens, Ashley Scoles Hodge (Joe), Amanda Scoles Osborn (Michael), Austin Scoles, Rev. Randall Albertson (Joy), Timothy Albertson (Brenda), Jeffrey Albertson (Lesa), Elizabeth Albertson, Jason Albertson (Karen), Emily Albertson, Caleb Wampler, Tasha Wampler, Cody DeOrnellis (Samantha), Blaire Scoles Cote (Justin), and Zane Scoles. Wanda was blessed with thirteen great-grandchildren: James, Micah, Jonathan, Jewelyn, Mishael, Mandylyn, Josiah, Charissa, Felix, Piper, Drenyn, Micah, Silas, and Baby Boy Schaper to arrive in November, to make fourteen.

Wanda is survived by one brother, Rev. Kenneth Smith, one sister, Carolyn Hulett, sister-in-law, Geneva Smith, and one step-brother, John Poff (Sherry), three step-grandchildren: Benjamin DeOrnellis, Jennifer DeOrnellis Brooks (Michael), and Matthew Schaper. She is also survived by many wonderful nieces, nephews, family members, and church members of different locations.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Herman and Faye Smith; brother, Leo Smith, step-mother, Viola Smith; sons-in-law Scott DeOrnellis, Timothy DeOrnellis, sister-in-law, Thelma Smith; and brother-in-law, Deane Hulett.

Not only do her children “rise up, and call her blessed” and “her husband praiseth her” (Proverbs 31: 28) but people in numerous places do as well. Wanda, you were a blessing to all of us, and now you are blessed with heaven’s reward! The love you gave your family and friends is not forgotten!

The family will receive friends at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel, Friday, October 6, 2023, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.  The funeral service will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel.  Burial will follow the service at Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family requests donations be made in Wanda’s memory to A Doctor's Heart, a Brazilian mission established by Dr. Wesley D. Scoles, at https://adoctorsheart.com.

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