Wanda Owen Cotter

Wanda Owen Cotter, 87, of San Angelo went home on March 23, 2022. Wanda was born in Slaton, TX, January 15, 1935, to Otho C. and Leona Enox Owens. As the last surviving sibling, she was preceded in death by her three sisters and two brothers: Peggy Joplin and Verlyn Owens of Lubbock, Faye Martin of Slaton, TX, Carl Leavelle of Stafford, KS, and Charles F. Owens of Detroit, TX. Wanda valued education her entire life graduating from Littlefield High School in 1952 and went on to attend Texas Tech University, Oklahoma State University, and graduated from Wayland University in Plainview in 1971 (with honors). She received her Masters Degree in 1980 from West Texas State University. She taught math at Ash Elementary School in Plainview until 1980 when she became the head librarian at Estacado Jr. High School until her retirement in 1990. She was blessed to be married to two great men – Douglas F. Owen of Plainview (52 years) and Jerry Cotter of San Angelo (14 years). Both preceded her in death. She is survived by her three children: Steve and Debbie Owen of Midland, Tim and Amy Owen of Chesnee, SC, and Amy and Ted Basye of Sweetwater. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren (with another due in May). Wanda loved to decorate her home, sew, and travel. She made dresses for her daughter and granddaughter and quilts for all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She volunteered these skills at Rust Street Ministries in San Angelo and helped make many, many quilts for those in the community. She traveled across the United States, including Alaska, visiting many of the places that she had studied while minoring in History during her college years. Wanda loved to sing in church and had a beautiful alto voice. She was an active member at Garland Street Church of Christ in Plainview, 4th & Elm in Sweetwater, and Johnson Street in San Angelo. The family would like to thank Jerry’s daughters, Lori Tudor and Lisa Cotter, and granddaughter, Jennifer Armor, for their kindness these past few years. You have been a true blessing. We would also like to thank Wanda’s caregivers who made her days at home comfortable: Zulima (Sue), Darlene, Juana, Frances, Yvette, and Peggy. Bless you all. A special thanks to her team from Hospice of San Angelo (West Texas Rehabilitation) as you made this journey bearable. Visitation will be on Sunday, March 27th, 3pm-5pm, at Harper Funeral Home in San Angelo. Graveside service will be on Saturday, April 2nd, 3pm at the Smith Cemetery in Red Oak, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Kids for Kitale (www.johnsonstreetchurch.org, Johnson St. Church of Christ), Rust Street Ministries (ruststreetministries.org), or Cornerstone Christian Preschool (P.O. Box 917, Sweetwater, TX 79556).