Wanda McDaniel

Wanda was born July 15, 1938 in Alamogordo, New Mexico. She grew up in the Sacramento Mountains. Wanda attended school in Weed, NM until the family moved to Alamogordo in the late 40's. She graduated from Alamogordo High School in 1956. Wanda won Otero County Fair Queen in 1957. She also worked for the Alamogordo City Police Department as their first meter maid. It was during this time she met the love of her life, J.D. McDaniel. They were married December 25th, 1957 at her parents’ home. The caption on their engagement announcement was, "Writing a ticket for life." J.D. also worked for the Alamogordo Police Department as their first motorcycle cop. They were married for 49 years at the time of J.D.'s passing. They moved to Vaughn, New Mexico in December 1957 where they owned and operated a Texaco Service station and motel. Wanda also sold New Mexico license plates and drove a school bus for the Vaughn Schools. In 1960 they bought J.D.'s dad's Gulf Service station and operated it until J.D.'s retirement. In the middle 60's she went to work for the US Postal Service as a relief clerk. 1969 she was hired as a fulltime clerk at the East Vaughn post office until its closing. At that time she transferred to the West Vaughn post office. She also worked in the Encino post office until she became the Postmaster of the Vaughn post office, February 19, 1983 where she worked until her retirement on January 4th, 2002. Wanda was a member of Eastern Star, Rowena Chapter No. 36 and served as Worthy Matron in 1965. She also played on several women's softball teams and was a heck of a pitcher! Wanda loved to dance, go to the lake on weekends and holidays and going on coyote hunts. Her kids remember her wild driving during those hunts! She found a new hobby in the last few years and that was going to gamble at the casino in Mescalero with her sisters. Those preceding her in death are her loving husband of 49 years, J.D. McDaniel, her parents James and Nina George, her sister, Darleene Newby. Survivors include; her daughter Hope Babek (Scott) of the family home, her son, Dallas McDaniel (Sandy) of Roswell; grandchildren, Desiree Babek and Fiance Jason McLaughlin of Alamogordo, NM, Jordan Babek of Las Cruces, John McDaniel and Mesha McDaniel both of Roswell; great - grandchildren, Kaylee Chacon and Collin McLaughlin both of Alamogordo, NM; her sisters, Nora Flowers of Roswell, Josie Gowen of Capitan, Sue Del Curto of Edgewood, Jackie Monroe of TX and Terry Hill of Tularosa; numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be John McDaniel, Robert Flowers, Dante Del Curto, Travis Johnson, Dominic Perez, and Steve Mulkey. Honorary pallbearers are, Dallas McDaniel, Scott Babek, Joe M. Vicente, Bob H. Byrd Sr,. Guy Wayne Horney. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Rick Hale officiating. Burial to follow in South Park Cemetery. The family would like to thank Vista Care Hospice for their wonderful caring help. Services are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

Wanda McDaniel

July 15, 1938 - March 29, 2013