Wanda June Elery

Wanda June Elery, age 76 of Forney, Texas died Monday, January 1, 2018.She was born on March 20, 1941 in Pittsburg, Kansas to William Christopher Samson and Mable Marie (Smith) Samson. Wanda is preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Kenneth Ray Elery; parents: William Christopher Samson and Mabel Marie (Smith) Samson (Kansas); sister, Charlene (Samson) Riedell (Arizona); infant daughter, Dana Lynn Fields and 1 nephew. Wanda is survived by her son, Charles Allen Fields; daughter, Kristy Sue (Fields) Conner and husband Daryl Lee Conner (Florida); stepsons: Kenneth DeWayne Elery and wife Brenda Gai (Baker) Elery, Phillip Lynn Elery and wife Peggy Jean (Flournoy) Elery; grandchildren: Cameron Storm Fields, Crista Dawn (Fields)Chavez and husband Michael Chavez, Mitchell DeWayne Elery and wife Emily (Schaefer) Elery (Arkansas), Toby Brent Elery and wife Kristi (Harris) Elery, Amanda Laura (Elery) Smith and husband Nate Smith, Phillip Scott Elery, Mark Lynn Elery and wife Savannah Beth Elery; great grandchildren: Braydon Michael Chavez, Lillyan Dawn Chavez, Colton Troy Alexander Chavez; brothers: William Samson and wife Jane Heim (Kansas), Richard Samson and wife Sammye Samson (Iowa); sisters: Della Samson Armstrong and husband C.L. Armstrong (Kansas), Sharon Samson Allen and husband Homer Allen (Oklahoma) and 8 nieces and nephews. Wanda graduated in 1959 from Pittsburg High School (Pittsburg, Kansas). She moved to Dallas, Texas in 1961. In 1975 she enrolled at the University of Texas at Dallas as the first undergraduate to enroll at the school.She joined the Dallas Police Department as a public service officer retiring in 1994. In her retirement she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, socializing and square dancing with her many friends.