Wanda London Greb

Wanda London Greb was born in Clinton, Oklahoma to Lillian and William London on November 10, 1927 and she died in Oklahoma City on November 1, 2013 at the age of 85. William was a depot agent throughout southwestern Oklahoma and the family moved frequently. Among Wanda's most treasured positions is a letter written by Lillian shortly before her death expressing her love for her five-year old daughter Wanda. Following her mother's death, Wanda resided with various aunts and uncles, moving between families in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. In 1937 her father married Ruby Karlin of Rocky and Wanda returned to their home to begin her new life with her family. Ruby quickly took to Wanda as if she were her own daughter, instilling in her a love of music, flair for cooking, and passion for teaching. Wanda graduated from Rocky High School in 1945 at the age of 16 and began her studies the following fall at Southwestern State College in Weatherford where she majored in music and home economics. After two years of college, she returned to Rocky to teach for the public schools to help meet the postwar demand for public school teachers in the area.

On July 30, 1949, she was united in marriage to Mervin Lee Greb of Gotebo at the United Methodist Church in Rocky. Following their marriage, she and Mervin moved to the family farm east of Rocky and she supported Mervin as he expanded his farming operation. To this union was born one child, Connie who was born on November 4, 1950. In 1957 Wanda received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Southwestern State College and taught elementary school in Colony where she also directed the school's music program. In 1959, she moved with her family to Hobart and taught 5th grade and math and reading lab retiring in 1988 after 33 years of public school teaching. She established the Hobart Spelling Bee, was a mentor to student teachers, served on the Oklahoma State Textbook Committee, and was a trustee of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Wanda was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hobart where she taught Sunday school, was a member of the choir, director of the primary music department, and served as pianist and soloist.

She was preceded in death by her husband Mervin, father William London, mother Lillian, stepmother Ruby, and brothers Jack and Marvin. She is survived by her daughter Connie Greb Dillon and her husband David of Norman, her granddaughter, Jennifer Dillon of Columbia, Missouri, her brothers James and Joe London, a host of nieces and nephews, and many treasured friends.

Wanda was a loving teacher, caring member of the community, philanthropist and guardian of animals. She was widely known for her excellent cooking, especially for her delicious pies. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, a gifted musician, and a tireless worker. She had a heart of gold and a generosity that touched the lives of many, especially those in need. We will miss her dedication, her selflessness, her determination and most of all, her tender loving care.

Memorial donations in memory of Wanda Greb may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Alzheimer's and Brain Disease Research, OMRF, 825 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 (OMRF.org).


Funeral Services: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 6, 2013
First Baptist Church, Hobart
Officiating: Bill Coffin
Burial will follow at Hobart Rose Cemetery, Hobart
under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Hobart