Wanda Barton Trotter

A memorial service for Wanda Ree (Barton) Trotter, 85, of Tyler will be held on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Glenwood Church of Christ with James Fife officiating. A private burial will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mrs. Trotter went home to her Lord and Savior on August 5, 2018. She was born in Tyler on January 25, 1933 to E.R. “Ras” Barton and May Lenis (Dunwoody) Barton. Wanda completed Gary Elementary, Hogg Junior High and Tyler High School, where she was a cheerleader and active in Blue Brigade. She attended Abilene Christian University and later earned a B.S. in Education from North Texas State University in Denton. While at NTSU, she met the love of her life, James Malcolm Trotter. They married in Tyler in 1955. Service in the Army led them to Fort Huachuca, Arizona. After military service, they returned to Tyler and both started lifelong careers as champions of education in the Tyler school system. Wanda first began teaching second grade at Marsh Elementary School. She then moved to Andy Woods Elementary where she taught fourth grade for many years and remained everyone’s favorite fourth-grade teacher. Students fondly recall learning multiplication tables on a wheel and learning to sew by constructing a felt whale. She had an amazing talent as a teacher and loved and cherished every student she had in her class. Wanda received a Masters of Education at ESTU (now Texas A&M Commerce). She then moved to Hubbard Junior High as a guidance counselor. After several years, she became the Director of Pupil Personnel Services for TISD. She remained there until retirement. After retirement, Jim and Wanda pursued their other passion – antiques and restoration. They spent many years finding treasures to restore and sell in their business. She continued to be active in private counseling and followed Jim along on his Willowbrook golf outings and trips with exceptional friends. Wanda was a charter member of Glenwood Church of Christ. She and Jim loved the congregation and had many precious and lifelong friends. Wanda was a member of the Culta Mea Club, Phi Delta Kappa, American Mental Health Counselors’ Association, Texas Retired Teachers’ Association, Piney Woods Counseling Association, American Association for Counseling and Development, Texas Personnel and Guidance Association and Smith County Retired Teachers Association. In addition, she was a licensed professional counselor and was named Piney Woods Personnel and Guidance Association Counselor of the Year. Wanda received the Distinguished Service Award from the Mental Health Association of Tyler and she served for Meals on Wheels ministry for several years. Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, James Malcolm Trotter and her parents, E.R. and May Lenis Barton. She is survived by her daughter, Reanne Barber and husband George of Dallas; her beloved twin granddaughters, Allison and Claire Barber of Dallas; and treasured friend, Ramonia Blaylock. “Grand,” as she was known, will forever be remembered by all as an amazing teacher, dedicated friend, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother; and as a faithful servant of the Lord. She will be loved and missed always. A visitation will follow the memorial service at the church. The family would like to express their deepest appreciation of the loving care and comfort Wanda received from Dr. John Scroggins, her friends, neighbors and caregivers – Ramonia, Sophia, Sha, and Deanna. They are all angels and the family is forever in debt to them.

Wanda Barton Trotter

January 25, 1933 - August 5, 2018