Wanda Gail Barthel

Wanda Gail Barthel, 54, died peacefully March 13, 2007 at her home. She was born December 18th, 1952, in Cleveland, MS where she spent most of her childhood. While attending high school in Shaw, MS; Wanda was a football cheerleader and known for her involvement in numerous school activities until she graduated in 1970. Following high school, she continued her education by attending Gulf Coast Junior College, Mississippi College, and Texas University. In 1975 her caring demeanor and desire to help others was fulfilled when she achieved a degree in nursing from McLennan Community College in Waco, TX. As a registered nurse, Wanda served on the staff of several hospitals to include Gulf Coast Community Hospital in Biloxi, MS; Gulfport Veterans Hospital in Gulfport, MS; Humana Hospital in St Petersburg, FL; Largo Medical Center in Largo, FL; and most recently at Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City, NC. In 1985, Wanda was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Reserve and served as a field nurse in the Army Nurse Corps. For her exemplary nursing skills and natural leadership she was promoted to Captain and honorably discharged in 2001. She was preceded in death by her mother, Maggie Brown of Biloxi, MS; and paternal father, William Tollison of Cleveland, MS. Survivors include her stepfather Jessie Brown of Biloxi, MS; daughter Jessica Athey of Swansboro, NC; sisters Doris Rudy of Memphis, TN; Glenda Dutton of Jacksonville, FL; Julie Brown of Ocean Springs, MS; and brothers Joel Brown of Biloxi, MS; and Andrew Brown of Houma, LA. A service will be held at 2 p.m. April 7th at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, 911 Porter Avenue in Ocean Springs, MS. where friends may call from 1-2 PM.