Wanda Louise Arnold Marlowe

Services for Wanda Louise Arnold Marlowe of Gladewater, will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at 2 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church with Reverend Wayne Flowers and Larry W. Osborne officiating. Burial will be in Rosedale Cemetery with Reverend Dick Dobbins officiating. Born on May 19, 1931, in St. Joseph"s Hospital, Houston, Texas, to Olan Howard Arnold and Georgia Louise McNeely Arnold, she entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 1, 2013, at the age of 82. She was raised in Trinity, Texas, and later moved with her family to Livingston, Texas, where she graduated from high school. From an early age, Wanda Lou (as she was affectionately known by her family) displayed a gift and passion for music which continued throughout her life. Wanda also enjoyed drama and journalism in high school and was elected class officer many times. She was well-respected by her peers and maintained many of those early close friendships to this day. It can be said of Wanda she truly never met a stranger and was a friend to untold numbers. Wanda attended Sam Houston State Teachers College and Texas Woman"s University before graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor"s in Music Education. Years later she graduated with honors from SMU with a Master"s in Liberal Arts. In 1955, Wanda married Cleo Marlowe and they made their home in Gladewater, Texas. She and Cleo had two children, Ann and Chris. Wanda enjoyed every minute of her 42 year career teaching in the Gladewater ISD as an elementary and middle school music teacher. She touched the lives of thousands through her love of music and her limitless compassion for students and their families. She was a very accomplished pianist and singer, having participated in numerous musical productions all over East Texas. Especially fond memories include many years playing the piano for Rangerette Revels in Kilgore and the Tyler Rose Festival. Wanda was a longtime member of many civic and social clubs in Gladewater. Wanda was a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church in Gladewater where she spent 50 years serving the Lord with her time, talents, and many gifts. The First United Methodist Church always held a special place in her heart and continued to minister to her after illness struck and she moved away from Gladewater. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cleo; her parents; her sister, Maxine; and her brother, Olan. These loving family members and countless other dear friends anxiously await her at the gate! She is survived by her daughter Ann and husband Steve Golding and their children, Garrett (fianc" Elizabeth Mortenson) and Mallory; son Chris Marlowe and wife Jackie and their children, Christopher, Brandon, and Cameron; stepson Randy Marlowe and wife Sandy and their children and grandchildren; and stepson Ken Marlowe and wife Kris and their children and grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Wanda"s grandsons, Garrett Golding, Christopher Marlowe, Brandon Marlowe, Aaron Marlowe, Adam Marlowe, and cousin Neel Richardson; and her nephew Fred Arnold. The family appreciates gifts in memory of Wanda be made to First United Methodist Church of Gladewater, 217 W. Quitman, Gladewater, Texas 75647; Gladewater Former Students" Association, P.O. Box 1425, Gladewater, Texas 75647; or the Livingston Montessori School, 620 Noblitt Street, Livingston, Texas 77351 (which is now located in Wanda"s childhood home. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater.