Wanda Vitatoe

Wanda D. Sloan Vitatoe, 97, passed from this life to her eternal home with Jesus at 4:17 P.M. on May 6, 2022 in The Heritage, National Church Residences – Chillicothe, Ohio.   She was born on May 4, 1925 in Albany, Kentucky, the daughter of Charlie Bell Sloan and Lillian Beatrice Ferguson Sloan.  On November 23, 1946 she married Ernest Welby Vitatoe, who preceded her in death on July 3, 2012 after over 65 years of marriage.    Wanda attended Trevecca Nazarene University, and later graduated with a two-year degree from Lindsey Wilson College.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Butler University in 1956.  Wanda received her master's degree from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana in 1963.   Wanda began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in Kentucky at age 19 on a teaching permit.  However, the majority of her teaching career was in Kokomo, Indiana where she taught first grade for most of her 35-year career.  Wanda loved teaching, and hundreds of children were blessed to have her as their teacher.   Wanda was known for giving lovely bridal showers, baby showers, Sunday School class parties, and hosting many visiting evangelists and missionaries.  She had the gift of hospitality and enjoyed sharing her home with family and friends.    Wanda and Welby were active in First Church of The Nazarene in Kokomo, Indiana during their working years.  Upon her retirement in 1981, they moved to Florida, and were active for over thirty years in First Church of The Nazarene in Ft. Myers.  Wanda and Welby moved to Chillicothe, Ohio during their later years and attended Brookside Church with their family.   Survivors include her only child, Larry, and his wife, Arna, grandsons and their wives, Andrew and Alicia, and Nathan and Brooke, six great-grandchildren, Victoria, Evelyn, Ryan, Charlotte, Myah, and Farrah, all of Chillicothe, Ohio, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husband, parents, and grandparents, Wanda was preceded in death by her sister, Flonnie, her brother, Charlie (nicknamed Shot), and a brother, Norman, who died in childhood.      The family wishes to thank the staff at The Heritage in National Church Residences – Chillicothe, along with National Church Residences Hospice for their loving care of Wanda.   A private memorial service for the family was held at the Haller Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Ohio with Rev. Ryan Bash officiating.  A graveside service was held in Cartwright, Kentucky under the direction of the Talbott Funeral Home with Rev. Jeffery Brown officiating.    Memorial contributions may be sent to Ft. Myers First Church of The Nazarene, 13545 American Colony Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33912.
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