Wanda Darter

Wanda Louise Darter, 73, of Ozark went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 21, 2012. She was born November 25, 1938 in Ozark to C.E. and Irene McKee and was a 1956 graduate of Ozark High School and a registered nurse at Johnson County Regional Hospital. She was preceded in death by her father C.E. McKee, her brother William Richard “Topsy” McKee, and husband Doug Darter all from Ozark. She is survived by her mother, Irene McKee of Ozark, four children, son Stan Yother and wife Linda of Fort Smith, son Steve Yother of Ozark, daughter Angel Yother of Ozark, and daughter Susan Lykins and husband Joe of Wellsville, KS. She is also survived by five brothers, David McKee and wife Peggy, James McKee and wife Pam, Jerry McKee, Scott McKee, and Randy McKee all of Ozark; four sisters Virginia Berrier and husband Lindsay of Asheville, NC, Sara Marriott and husband Red of Ozark, Cynthia Green and husband John of Ozark, and Sandra McKee of Alma, fourteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. As the oldest of eleven children and a nurse for over fifty years, the care of others defined Wanda’s life. Wanda obtained her B.S. in Nursing at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville in 1981. Her undeniable talent for practicing and teaching nursing was remarkable. Wanda’s dedication to her profession and belief in giving quality care is evident by her consecutive record of perfect attendance at both Turner and Johnson County Regional Hospitals and multiple honors as Nurse of the Year during her service as the Clinical Instructor of RN students at Arkansas Tech University. Wanda was bestowed with the Dr. Howard A. Dishongh Respect for Officers Award, presented for her heroics in the defense and rescue of a wounded state trooper from an armed assailant in 1980. Wanda was a Mary Kay consultant for almost twenty years and early on earned a Mary Kay car. Among Wanda’s many accomplishments, her love for and dedication to her family was her defining achievement. Memorial Services will be held at West Park Baptist Church in Ozark on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 2 p.m. with graveside service to follow at Highland Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Daniel Green, Jonathan Berrier, Kevin McKee, Michael Lee, David Williams, Chris McKee, Neil McCormick, and Jason McKee. Honorary pallbearers will be Trey Lykins, Cody Lee and co-workers of Johnson County Regional Hospital. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent to either West Park Baptist Church P.O. Box 541 Ozark, AR 72949 or Arkansas Tech Foundation Attn: Wanda Darter Memorial Nursing Fund 8820 Tech Lane, Russellville, AR 72801.

Wanda Darter

November 25, 1938 - January 21, 2012