Funeral services for Wanda Jean (Bell) Ward-McPherson, 98, of Marlow, formerly of Purcell, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, July 13, 2026 at Sunray Baptist Church in Purcell. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Purcell under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell.
Viewing will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 9, 2026 at the Wilson-Little Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m.
Mrs. Ward-McPherson passed away Friday, July 3, 2026.
Wanda was born August 8, 1927 in Maysville, the oldest of four children born to James and Stella Bell.
She grew up in the Wayne and Purcell area, graduating from Wayne High School with the Bulldog Class of 1945. She later met and married Jack D. Ward on June 5, 1946 in Sherman, Texas. They moved to Greenville, Mississippi, where she attended cosmetology school and became a hairdresser. While there, she bought her first sewing machine and taught herself to sew. Just a few short years later, they returned to Purcell where they raised their son, J.D. Ward.
Wanda and Jack opened a neighborhood grocery store, and they owned and operated it for a few years. She then worked for J & B Clothing, sewing and doing alterations, and at Needles Eye in Purcell altering wedding dresses. Wanda enjoyed making clothes, and sewed many of Jack and J.D.’s suits. She created the most beautiful wedding dresses and made purses until her fingers got to where she had to quit.
Wanda was a woman of great faith. Wanda was a charter member at Sunray Baptist Church in Purcell. Wanda remained active for more than 50 years, teaching Sunday School and played the organ. They shared 53 wonderful years together.
Wanda later married Tommie McPherson on March 18, 2006. They spent much of their time traveling, making several trips to California, until his passing in 2009. She began frequenting the Purcell Senior Citizens with her friend, Dr. Duke Blackford, before moving from the assisted living to live with her grandson, J.C. She was a wonderful grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and a true friend. She will be dearly missed!
She was preceded in death by her son, J.D. Ward; her husbands, Jack Ward and Tommie McPherson; her parents, James “Chess” and Stella Bell and brothers, James Bell and Bennie Bell.
Wanda is survived by her grandson, J.C. Ward of Marlow; granddaughter, Amber Riley and husband, Trey, of Duncan; great-grandchildren, William Graham Watson and Emma Jacileigh Ward; sister, Loyce Chessteen Olson and husband, Alvin, of Lexington; several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Online condolences may be made at www.wilsonlittle.com.