Wanda Jean Cecil

Wanda Jean Cecil, of Sidney, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at Ohio Living Dorothy Love. She was born on June 27, 1938 in Kenvir (Harlan County), Kentucky to Homer and Ruby (Turner) Hensley.  She was the second of six children; Clifford (Marcella) Hensley, Janice Faye Hensley (Clarence) Cox, Phyllis Hensley (Clyde) Epling, Roger (Ruby) Hensley and Crystal Hensley (Don) Francis.  Phyllis, Crystal, and Marcella survive.

In 1954, Wanda Jean met a dashing young Marine named Douglas D. Cecil and they quickly fell in love and were married.  They had four boys together; Stanley Douglas in 1955, Steven Duane in 1956, Danny Alan in 1958, and Randy Leroy in 1961.  Stanley died of leukemia at the age of five.  Her husband and sons were the focus of her life for the next 30 years.  She and Doug both sacrificed tremendously for their sons.

Wanda Jean started out her life in a coal-mining camp in eastern Kentucky until the mine played out and the family moved to Colorado in search of steady work.  That venture didn't pan out and they returned to Kentucky.  After a couple more years they gave Colorado another try, but finally settled in Tawawa (Shelby County), Ohio, where Homer found work building the new interstate highway.  This is where she met the love-of-her-life, Doug.  They married in 1954 and started their family, settling in Lena, Ohio. 

Wanda Jean was a marvelous mother to her four rambunctious boys and Stanley's death at age five was a devastating blow.  She didn't have the luxury of prolonged mourning as the other three boys needed her.  Once the boys got old enough, Wanda went into the workforce to help with the finances.  As a factory-worker she worked hard both at work and at home.

As the boys were finishing high school she ventured into the restaurant business, owning and operating Cecil's Restaurant in Fletcher for several years.  One day, Doug came home and said we're moving to Georgia!  They purchased a modest home on Lake Lanier and lived in Georgia for nearly 18 years before moving to North Carolina to be near family. 

During the Georgia years the grandchildren started coming starting with Randy, who married Laurie Ramsay who had a four-year old son, Joshua.  Danny married Kimberly Crabtree and they had Stacy Jean in 1978 followed by Cristin Marie in 1980.  Steven married Kathy Long and they had Audrey Elizabeth in 1983 and the last grandchild was Lucas Lowen in 1988.  These five grandchildren produced nine great-grandchildren; Adia, Lily, Evan, Jack, Flynn, Gabriel, Owen, Zachary and Reagan.

After Doug died in 2002, Wanda Jean moved to Saint Paris, Ohio to live with Dan and Kim and a few years later they all re-located to Ohio Living Dorthy Love near Sidney.  Wanda Jean led a rather nomadic life, but wherever she was, she knew she was always near her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Her faith was instilled deeply at a very young age and nurtured throughout her life.  She displayed, lived, and shared her love of God regularly and those who knew her well, know Jesus was there to welcome her to her true home on the afternoon of Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 at the age of 86.  Wanda Jean was a member of Cornerstone Church in Sidney.

The family is planning a celebration of life (and Hensley/Cecil reunion) for Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 11A.M. at Ohio Living Dorothy Love, so mark your calendars now for this joyous event. 

Wanda Jean's family will be forever grateful for the care and compassion she received from the staff and fellow residents at Dorothy Love these last six years.  Memorial contributions can be made to Dorothy Love's Life Care Plan in memory of Wanda Jean Cecil by sending a check to Ohio Living Foundation, 3003 Cisco Rd, Sidney, Ohio 45365.