Wanda Flannigan

Wanda Nell Walker Blackard Flannigan, age 76, St. Marys KS, passed away peacefully September 16, 2016 at the St. Mary's Manor. She was born October 31, 1939 to Allie (Anders) Walker and Buddy Walker. Wanda grew up in the piney woods of East Texas, a fact that she was very proud of. She later moved to Kansas where she met and married John Blackard. Wanda raised four children while working as a legal secretary, first in Topeka, KS and later in St. Marys, KS for Jim Morrison. She was a member of the St. Mary's United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, served on the board, and volunteered for many causes but the one most dear to her heart was helping, Kaci, a girl with disabilities. Wanda was actively involved in her community and took great pride in everything she did. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and led a Girl Scout troop. Her creative abilities went beyond her amazing sewing skills. She owned two businesses, Mug Shots of St. Marys and Monograms, Etc. Wanda later married Tom Flannigan and spent many happy years before his passing on August 25, 1999. He was very special to her. Wanda is survived by four Children: Rob Blackard, CO; George Blackard and wife Amy, Billings, MT; Brandi Blackard, St. Marys, KS; Jennifer Risetter and husband Warren Wilson, Topeka, KS. Surviving grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Elizabeth McClure, her husband Jason and daughters Allie and Jaylee, Texarkana, TX; Emma and Abby Blackard, Billings, MT; Dane Deiter and daughter Paislee, St. Marys, KS; Megan Risetter, Silver Lake, KS; Elise Wiseman her husband Blake and daughter Elliette, Topeka, KS; Taylor Wilson his wife Caylee and daughter Brinley, Topeka, KS. Surviving brother, Tommy Smith and cousins; Gorman Dorsey, Earl Graham, Ona Lee Felts, and Mary Ann Hill, all residing in Texas. In addition to her parents, Wanda was preceded in death by her brother, B.A. Walker and cousin, Robert Graham. A memorial service will be held at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys, KS on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 6 p.m. and a visitation with family at St. Marys UMC Hammond Hall at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimers Foundation. If you had the pleasure of knowing our mom, you know she was selfless and kind-hearted. She was a cook, a doctor, a care-giver, a seamstress, and a shoulder for us, and anyone who needed it, to lean on. Our mom read us Bible stories every night before bed, she taught us to pray and she taught us about God and His grace. Our mom worked all of her life to provide for us, and her door was always open to children that were not even hers. Our mom experienced things in her life that would make strong people fold but she persevered and never gave in. She was a survivor and an inspiration and she was one of a kind. Words cannot do her justice and one could try to explain her but there are no words to express what she was or what she meant to us. It's not where one was born or where they went to school or where they worked that defines a person's life. In the end, what defines a person is what they did with their time on this earth. Our mom made a difference in many lives, she will be sorely missed and we will always love her. Rob, George, Brandi and Jennifer