Wanza Neadeen Merrifield
December 8, 1927 - July 29, 2025
Wanza Neadeen Barker Merrifield, 97, of Ponca City, OK, left this life on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Blackwell, OK. Viewing will be held from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Sunday, August 3, 2025, and 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday, August 4, 2025, both at Trout Funeral Home. The family will receive friends between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm on Monday. A Memorial Ceremony will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at First Baptist Church. Those unable to attend the Funeral Ceremony may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com and click on the live-stream or toolbar icon on the top right corner after 9:45 am. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.
Wanza was born on Thursday, December 8, 1927, to James Zeno and Palma (Marshall) Barker in Norman, OK. Her mother accepted a teaching position in Sayre, OK, where she and her mother roomed with the Conrad Merrifield family, while her father completed Law School at the University of Oklahoma. She was a Salutatorian, graduating from Clinton High School, then attended OU. Wanza and Vernon Conrad Merrifield, MD, were married on January 18, 1947, in Clinton, OK, at the First Baptist Church. They lived in Oklahoma City while he finished his internship, and pursued further training in surgery. Officially, they moved there on July 1, 1947. Dr. Merrifield was called back to the service in 1954, and the family spent one year with him in Etajima, Japan, where he served as the administrator of the hospital. He preceded her in death on December 4, 2000.
Wanza enjoyed teaching Sunday School, and serving for the various committees she was a part of at the First Baptist Church. Those included: Pastor Search Committee, Building Committee, Director of Music, Youth Group Leader, Awana Volunteer, and Sunday School Teacher. She was a part of many organizational memberships and chairs, such as; a past President of the Kay County Medical Advisory, past President of the Ponca City Newcomers Club, a past regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was National Defense Chairman for many years. She belonged to the Pioneer Genealogy Club, Ponca City Garden Club, Ponca City Women's Club, and the Ladies Investment Club. Wanza was also a Cub Scout Leader, and Camp Fire Leader.
Her hobbies included, sewing (being an accomplished seamstress and receiving the Oklahoma Golden Thimble Award), gardening, and genealogy; to the point she filled three notebooks with information for the Families of Ruth Eleanor Northcutt. She also enjoyed taking oil painting classes from Mrs. Wallace Weaver, playing in a Bridge Club that has been in existence since 1946, golfing, and loved family gatherings. She enjoyed spending over 20 years swimming, and taking jazzercise classes at the YMCA. .
Wanza had a deep passion for teaching children to read, and helped with the reading programs at West Middle School and Roosevelt Elementary for many years; having been awarded the Ponca City School Board Outstanding Volunteer. She was also a member of National Society Magna Chart Dames and Barons.
Wanza is survived by: son, Vernon Merrifield, Jr, Lyndsey Osgood (Dustin), Sarah Byers, Chelsea McConnell (Jeremy); son, James "Jim"Merrifield (Sandy), Shelley Holland (Eric), Karly Fagg; daughter, Janet "Jan" Merrifield (James Adair), Britton Boethin, Tyler Boethin; daughter, Lynnie Bailey (Patrick Sloan), Jason Bailey (Jessica), Jordan Bailey (Jamie); great-grandchildren, Conrad and Reese Osgood, Madilyn, Benton, and Brooks Byers, Oaks McConnell, Forrest and Elliott Holland, Elizabeth and Marshall Fagg, Ben, Charlie Rose and Lucy Boethin, Hudson, Hayes and Hunter Bailey, Gage and Braxton Bailey. She is preceded in death by: her parents, J.Z. and Palma Barker; husband, V.C. Merrifield; and son-in-law, James Bailey.
Pallbearers will be Britton Boethin, Tyler Boethin, Jeremy McConnell, Jason Bailey, Jordan Bailey, Dustin Osgood, and Eric Holland. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church or Falls Creek (in care of First Baptist Church), 218 S 6th St, Ponca City, OK 74601.
Wanza will be remembered by her personal Motto, "How thrilling it has been for me to enjoy my large family, after having been an only child!"
The Merrifield Family will be gathering at the home of Vernon Merrifield, 250 S. Longwood Road, Ponca City, OK, 74604, on SUNDAY, 2 pm - 5 pm, and MONDAY, 10 am - 2 pm.
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