Wanda Maxine Cagle

Wanda “Maxine” Cagle, 98, long-time resident of Westville, OK, but residing in the Baptist Village of Owasso, OK, since 2012, passed away peacefully July 15, 2026, at the Porta Caeli House in Tulsa, OK. She was born April 18, 1928, to the late Owen “Buster” Thurman and Inez Luther Thurman, at her grandad Thurman’s house in Cincinnati, AR. An only child, Maxine grew up on a beautiful farm just outside Cincinnati where the family milked Guernsey cows. Known as “Tooterbill” by her classmates, Maxine attended grades 1-8 at Walnut Corner, Renie, and Eureka Arkansas schools. She attended high school in Cincinnati, AR, and enjoyed telling about riding her horse the four miles to high school. Maxine married the late Robert “Don” Cagle November 12,1946, after having met him when he wired her family home for electricity. When asked what age she would return to if it were possible, Maxine replied, “I would choose 18 because that is when I married my sweetheart”. The couple lived in and around Westville, OK, throughout their approximate 62 years of marriage except for a brief time in Minnesota and Kansas. In recent years, Maxine has said she would like to return to Minnesota if she could go anywhere. A son, Gary Don, was born to Maxine and Don in 1947 and a second son, Michael Owen, was born in 1949. Maxine was preceded in death by her “sweetheart” in 2008. In addition to Gary and Mike, along with their wives, Lynn and Janet, respectively, Maxine is survived by four grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren. Maxine was a member of Westville Methodist Church and was an adult leader for the Methodist Youth Fellowship when Gary and Mike were old enough to participate. She was employed by Tyson Foods, Westville Public Schools, and Baldor Electric Co. According to Gary, she seemed happiest during her 16-year employment in the Westville high school cafeteria where she worked with one of her good friends, Dode Templeton. Both Gary and Mike still praise the aroma and taste of the giant yeast lunch and cinnamon rolls they and other students enjoyed as a result of Maxine’s baking. Her homemade ice cream is also treasured. Maxine loved animals, but was definitely a “people person”. She was always happy to see someone and remarked that was what made her smile. She wanted to know and share what was going on and enjoyed visiting with friends as well as just observing others. Maxine was also an avid domino and pitch player. When Gary and Mike were growing up, Maxine and Don regularly played cards with friends while taking turns hosting pitch parties. Children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren had fun playing dominoes with Grandma Maxine. During her residence at Baptist Village in Owasso, Maxine kept her candy dish full by winning at Bingo and dominoes. Maxine is also known for liking to “go”, and everyone knew she was ready to “go” home when she tucked her purse under her arm. Family came first for Maxine, however, and, in a biographical interview while at Baptist Village, she shared her hope that her family knew “she tried to be a good wife and a good mom.” Both sons have acknowledged this through stories of Maxine’s loving efforts to make them happy and provide the best for her family. Gary remembers gratefully Maxine preparing a hearty breakfast for him at 4:00 a.m. when he was earning money for college by building chicken houses, as well as saving her earnings to buy him a prom suit. Sadly, the mumps prevented him from ever wearing the suit, much to Maxine’s sadness. Her attention to the boys’ growth in faith was recalled by Mike who attributes acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and initiation of his faith journey to accompanying Maxine to a revival in Siloam Springs when he was about 12 years old. Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso, OK, is in charge of funeral arrangements. An Owasso viewing will be held Friday, July 24, 2026, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at the Mowery Funeral Home, 9110 N. Garnett Rd., Owasso, OK. Services will be Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Westville Methodist Church, 900 W. Taft St., Westville, OK, with viewing an hour before. Burial will be at Westville cemetery. In lieu of sending flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, https://donate.brightfocus.org, or the Westville Cemetery at the Westville Town Clerk’s Office, 221 Williams Ave., Westville, OK 74965. www.moweryfs.com

Wanda Maxine Cagle

April 18, 1928 - July 15, 2026