Wanda G. Meritt

Wanda Gene Meritt was born on May 19, 1944, and passed peacefully at home on May 17, 2026, just two days before what would have been her 82nd birthday. She leaves behind a legacy not measured in years, but in the countless lives she touched, the love she gave without condition, and the family she cherished with her whole heart.

Wanda was one of two children born in Lindsey, Oklahoma to Paul and Hazel Bridgman. The family later relocated to Pond Creek, Oklahoma, where Wanda grew up, put down roots, and eventually met the man who would become the love of her life.

On November 12, 1965, she married Alfred Lee Meritt, and together they built a home filled with love, laughter, and unwavering devotion to one another and to their children, Roger and Deborah, who became the focus of her world. Wanda was a devoted wife and mother and she and Alfred set up their homestead in the countryside of Oklahoma City where she resided up until her passing.

Wanda’s faith was the foundation upon which she built her life — steady, quiet, and unshakeable. Throughout her life she leaned into her faith and even now we can be reminded of the strength of her faith through the words she has kept close since the passing of her husband : “God is too good to be unkind, and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.” Those words were not simply a comfort to her — but a reflection of the way she lived every single day, with grace, with trust, and with a faith that never wavered.

Wanda was a member of the Cashion Methodist Church and spent more than 20 years of faithful service as a Teaching Assistant for Cashion Public Schools. As a Teaching Assistant, Wanda became known and deeply loved for her tender, nurturing heart. She had a remarkable gift for making children feel seen, valued, and cared for — a gift that extended far beyond the classroom and into every corner of her life.

When she was not pouring into others, Wanda could be found surrounded by the people she treasured most — her family. She lived for family gatherings filled with laughter, good food, and memories made to last a lifetime. Wanda was an ever-present support piece for those around her at life events and was always ready to provide an extra set of hands anytime the need arose. She was a passionate and proud fan of the Oklahoma City Thunder and cheered loudly for any Sooner sporting event. Her enthusiasm was infectious, her spirit was warm, and her family was, without question, the greatest treasure of her life.

Wanda was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Alfred Meritt; her parents, Paul and Hazel Bridgman; and her dear brother, Kenneth Bridgman.

She is survived by those who were blessed to call her their own:

Son — Roger Meritt and his wife Marti

Daughter — Deborah Fields and her husband Robert

Grandchildren — Brook Palmer and her husband Chandler, Brittany Fields, and Jeremiah Meritt

Great-Grandchildren — Peyton and Paisley Meritt

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the American Cancer Society, First United Methodist Church (Cashion, Oklahoma), or Waterloo Cemetery- in Wanda’s memory.

“God is too good to be unkind, and He is too wise to be mistaken.

And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.”

— Charles Spurgeon