Wanda was the first of three children born to Jack and Dorothy (Atwood) Ahlfinger of Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Sunset High School in 1954. Wanda married her forever “boyfriend”, Louie Franks on June 2, 1956. These two were quite the pair and they set a wonderful example as loving spouses for their children, Greg and Vickie. Wanda would follow Louie anywhere and encourage and applaud every adventure that he entertained.
Wanda worked at the family business, Ahlfinger Water Co. up until the time of the birth of Greg and then stayed home with her children for many years. She eventually went to work as Louie’s secretary for the company Whitson-King, a food brokerage company for which he ran the Houston office… a very unique situation that many wives would never consider! The family spent many hours in service and fellowship at First Baptist Church of Alief, led by Paul Lewis. Lifetime friendships developed in those Alief years and friends became family!
In 1990, Louie and Wanda purchased and together ran Franks Mini-mart, in Hempstead, TX for 8 years in which there was a lot of togetherness enjoyed by both! One of her favorite memories was fulfilling an order of 100 hamburgers. They sold the business in 1998 just prior to the unexpected loss of Louie. Wanda relocated to her childhood home in Dallas, Texas and enjoyed being closer to family. She became an active member at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Cedar Hill, TX where her membership remains.
Later in life, Wanda sold the family home and lived with Greg and family and then Vickie and family. While living with Greg and family she was entertained by long, late night conversations with Mark and Matt and enjoyed watching for wildlife that would roam their property. In the years that she lived with Ken and Vickie, she enjoyed daily walks throughout the neighborhood and engaged in conversation with everyone she encountered. She eventually knew more people than the Anders did! She also enjoyed the kids activities and interacting with “her best friend”, Rev, the family dog. She looked forward to starting each day with coffee and a phone call from Mr. Bill. Another highlight of each week was the adventure of lunch with Vi Anders and friends!
Wanda is survived by her children, son, Gregory (Angie), daughter, Vickie (Ken); grandchildren Matthew, Mark, Kailey (Charlie), Kara, Kyle, and Kennedi; great grandchildren Colton, Raelyn and Mayson Jaye (due in September); brother, Rocky (Claudia), sisters-in- law, Julia, Loretta; many loving nieces and nephews; Aunt Geneva; “sister” Rita and Jack and family; “wife-in-law” Esther; and “brother” Bill.
She is preeceded in death by her adoring husband, Louie J. Franks; infant daughter, Louwanna Lynn Franks; parents, Jack and Dorothy Ahlfinger; brother, Jack Ahlfinger; Louie’s parents and siblings: Samuel and Maude Franks; Urna (Chuck) Conklin, S.G. (Armine) Franks; Pluma James, Naoma (Forrest) Whitham, Paul Franks, Jean (Bob) Glaze, Robert (Val) Franks; several nieces and nephews including niece, Debbie James which left this world on the same day as Aunt Wanda. A grand reunion in Heaven surely occurred!
When you remember Wanda, please remember her love for happy colors, her beautiful smile and her passion for coffee. Please remember her contagious joy, her genuine kindness, and her servant’s heart. We will certainly remember the way that she so deeply loved her family and friends, and most importantly, her faith in Jesus Christ.
Please wear your bright colors and join us on her birthday, June 19 at 10:30 AM at Laurel Land for a graveside celebration of her life and feel free to join our family as we continue the celebration at El Fenix on Colorado Blvd. (her favorite restaurant and where she and Louie held their rehearsal dinner and many family celebrations), 120 E. Colorado Blvd. Dallas, TX 75203.
Wanda worked at the family business, Ahlfinger Water Co. up until the time of the birth of Greg and then stayed home with her children for many years. She eventually went to work as Louie’s secretary for the company Whitson-King, a food brokerage company for which he ran the Houston office… a very unique situation that many wives would never consider! The family spent many hours in service and fellowship at First Baptist Church of Alief, led by Paul Lewis. Lifetime friendships developed in those Alief years and friends became family!
In 1990, Louie and Wanda purchased and together ran Franks Mini-mart, in Hempstead, TX for 8 years in which there was a lot of togetherness enjoyed by both! One of her favorite memories was fulfilling an order of 100 hamburgers. They sold the business in 1998 just prior to the unexpected loss of Louie. Wanda relocated to her childhood home in Dallas, Texas and enjoyed being closer to family. She became an active member at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Cedar Hill, TX where her membership remains.
Later in life, Wanda sold the family home and lived with Greg and family and then Vickie and family. While living with Greg and family she was entertained by long, late night conversations with Mark and Matt and enjoyed watching for wildlife that would roam their property. In the years that she lived with Ken and Vickie, she enjoyed daily walks throughout the neighborhood and engaged in conversation with everyone she encountered. She eventually knew more people than the Anders did! She also enjoyed the kids activities and interacting with “her best friend”, Rev, the family dog. She looked forward to starting each day with coffee and a phone call from Mr. Bill. Another highlight of each week was the adventure of lunch with Vi Anders and friends!
Wanda is survived by her children, son, Gregory (Angie), daughter, Vickie (Ken); grandchildren Matthew, Mark, Kailey (Charlie), Kara, Kyle, and Kennedi; great grandchildren Colton, Raelyn and Mayson Jaye (due in September); brother, Rocky (Claudia), sisters-in- law, Julia, Loretta; many loving nieces and nephews; Aunt Geneva; “sister” Rita and Jack and family; “wife-in-law” Esther; and “brother” Bill.
She is preeceded in death by her adoring husband, Louie J. Franks; infant daughter, Louwanna Lynn Franks; parents, Jack and Dorothy Ahlfinger; brother, Jack Ahlfinger; Louie’s parents and siblings: Samuel and Maude Franks; Urna (Chuck) Conklin, S.G. (Armine) Franks; Pluma James, Naoma (Forrest) Whitham, Paul Franks, Jean (Bob) Glaze, Robert (Val) Franks; several nieces and nephews including niece, Debbie James which left this world on the same day as Aunt Wanda. A grand reunion in Heaven surely occurred!
When you remember Wanda, please remember her love for happy colors, her beautiful smile and her passion for coffee. Please remember her contagious joy, her genuine kindness, and her servant’s heart. We will certainly remember the way that she so deeply loved her family and friends, and most importantly, her faith in Jesus Christ.
Please wear your bright colors and join us on her birthday, June 19 at 10:30 AM at Laurel Land for a graveside celebration of her life and feel free to join our family as we continue the celebration at El Fenix on Colorado Blvd. (her favorite restaurant and where she and Louie held their rehearsal dinner and many family celebrations), 120 E. Colorado Blvd. Dallas, TX 75203.
Wanda was the first of three children born to Jack and Dorothy (Atwood) Ahlfinger of Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Sunset High School in 1954. Wanda married her forever “boyfriend”, Louie Franks on June 2, 1956. These two were quite the pair and they set a wonderful example as loving spouses for their children, Greg and Vickie. Wanda would follow Louie anywhere and encourage and applaud every adventure that he entertained.
Wanda worked at the family business, Ahlfinger Water Co. up until the time of the birth of Greg and then stayed home with her children for many years. She eventually went to work as Louie’s secretary for the company Whitson-King, a food brokerage company for which he ran the Houston office… a very unique situation that many wives would never consider! The family spent many hours in service and fellowship at First Baptist Church of Alief, led by Paul Lewis. Lifetime friendships developed in those Alief years and friends became family!
In 1990, Louie and Wanda purchased and together ran Franks Mini-mart, in Hempstead, TX for 8 years in which there was a lot of togetherness enjoyed by both! One of her favorite memories was fulfilling an order of 100 hamburgers. They sold the business in 1998 just prior to the unexpected loss of Louie. Wanda relocated to her childhood home in Dallas, Texas and enjoyed being closer to family. She became an active member at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Cedar Hill, TX where her membership remains.
Later in life, Wanda sold the family home and lived with Greg and family and then Vickie and family. While living with Greg and family she was entertained by long, late night conversations with Mark and Matt and enjoyed watching for wildlife that would roam their property. In the years that she lived with Ken and Vickie, she enjoyed daily walks throughout the neighborhood and engaged in conversation with everyone she encountered. She eventually knew more people than the Anders did! She also enjoyed the kids activities and interacting with “her best friend”, Rev, the family dog. She looked forward to starting each day with coffee and a phone call from Mr. Bill. Another highlight of each week was the adventure of lunch with Vi Anders and friends!
Wanda is survived by her children, son, Gregory (Angie), daughter, Vickie (Ken); grandchildren Matthew, Mark, Kailey (Charlie), Kara, Kyle, and Kennedi; great grandchildren Colton, Raelyn and Mayson Jaye (due in September); brother, Rocky (Claudia), sisters-in- law, Julia, Loretta; many loving nieces and nephews; Aunt Geneva; “sister” Rita and Jack and family; “wife-in-law” Esther; and “brother” Bill.
She is preeceded in death by her adoring husband, Louie J. Franks; infant daughter, Louwanna Lynn Franks; parents, Jack and Dorothy Ahlfinger; brother, Jack Ahlfinger; Louie’s parents and siblings: Samuel and Maude Franks; Urna (Chuck) Conklin, S.G. (Armine) Franks; Pluma James, Naoma (Forrest) Whitham, Paul Franks, Jean (Bob) Glaze, Robert (Val) Franks; several nieces and nephews including niece, Debbie James which left this world on the same day as Aunt Wanda. A grand reunion in Heaven surely occurred!
When you remember Wanda, please remember her love for happy colors, her beautiful smile and her passion for coffee. Please remember her contagious joy, her genuine kindness, and her servant’s heart. We will certainly remember the way that she so deeply loved her family and friends, and most importantly, her faith in Jesus Christ.
Please wear your bright colors and join us on her birthday, June 19 at 10:30 AM at Laurel Land for a graveside celebration of her life and feel free to join our family as we continue the celebration at El Fenix on Colorado Blvd. (her favorite restaurant and where she and Louie held their rehearsal dinner and many family celebrations), 120 E. Colorado Blvd. Dallas, TX 75203.
Wanda worked at the family business, Ahlfinger Water Co. up until the time of the birth of Greg and then stayed home with her children for many years. She eventually went to work as Louie’s secretary for the company Whitson-King, a food brokerage company for which he ran the Houston office… a very unique situation that many wives would never consider! The family spent many hours in service and fellowship at First Baptist Church of Alief, led by Paul Lewis. Lifetime friendships developed in those Alief years and friends became family!
In 1990, Louie and Wanda purchased and together ran Franks Mini-mart, in Hempstead, TX for 8 years in which there was a lot of togetherness enjoyed by both! One of her favorite memories was fulfilling an order of 100 hamburgers. They sold the business in 1998 just prior to the unexpected loss of Louie. Wanda relocated to her childhood home in Dallas, Texas and enjoyed being closer to family. She became an active member at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Cedar Hill, TX where her membership remains.
Later in life, Wanda sold the family home and lived with Greg and family and then Vickie and family. While living with Greg and family she was entertained by long, late night conversations with Mark and Matt and enjoyed watching for wildlife that would roam their property. In the years that she lived with Ken and Vickie, she enjoyed daily walks throughout the neighborhood and engaged in conversation with everyone she encountered. She eventually knew more people than the Anders did! She also enjoyed the kids activities and interacting with “her best friend”, Rev, the family dog. She looked forward to starting each day with coffee and a phone call from Mr. Bill. Another highlight of each week was the adventure of lunch with Vi Anders and friends!
Wanda is survived by her children, son, Gregory (Angie), daughter, Vickie (Ken); grandchildren Matthew, Mark, Kailey (Charlie), Kara, Kyle, and Kennedi; great grandchildren Colton, Raelyn and Mayson Jaye (due in September); brother, Rocky (Claudia), sisters-in- law, Julia, Loretta; many loving nieces and nephews; Aunt Geneva; “sister” Rita and Jack and family; “wife-in-law” Esther; and “brother” Bill.
She is preeceded in death by her adoring husband, Louie J. Franks; infant daughter, Louwanna Lynn Franks; parents, Jack and Dorothy Ahlfinger; brother, Jack Ahlfinger; Louie’s parents and siblings: Samuel and Maude Franks; Urna (Chuck) Conklin, S.G. (Armine) Franks; Pluma James, Naoma (Forrest) Whitham, Paul Franks, Jean (Bob) Glaze, Robert (Val) Franks; several nieces and nephews including niece, Debbie James which left this world on the same day as Aunt Wanda. A grand reunion in Heaven surely occurred!
When you remember Wanda, please remember her love for happy colors, her beautiful smile and her passion for coffee. Please remember her contagious joy, her genuine kindness, and her servant’s heart. We will certainly remember the way that she so deeply loved her family and friends, and most importantly, her faith in Jesus Christ.
Please wear your bright colors and join us on her birthday, June 19 at 10:30 AM at Laurel Land for a graveside celebration of her life and feel free to join our family as we continue the celebration at El Fenix on Colorado Blvd. (her favorite restaurant and where she and Louie held their rehearsal dinner and many family celebrations), 120 E. Colorado Blvd. Dallas, TX 75203.
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