Wanda Mae Lord

Wanda Mae Rodgers Lord went peacefully to be with our Lord on April 10th, surrounded by her family.  Wanda was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1929 to Earl & Ploma Rodgers and her big sister Josephine in Maud, Oklahoma.  She is survived by her sister Josephine Spaulding, twin brothers Lloyd and Floyd Rodgers, and sons William Lord and James Lord.

Like many other “Okies” during the Depression, they became migrants in search of work.  Her mother passed when she was a young child.  At the age of 17, she and her sister settled in “Oklahoma West” -  Bakersfield.  There, she became a bookkeeping machine operator for the Bank of America and later for the City of Bakersfield.  She was a member of the Downtown Business Girls Association “Busi Gals” and continued to attend their annual Palm Sunday Brunch get togethers.

Wanda met William “Bill” Lord and later married in 1951.  Bill Lord owned Valley Nursery which became Lord’s Automotive and Speed Shop.  This was a common interest of theirs, as Wanda had spent much of her childhood under the hood of a car with her dad.  In 1960 they had their first child, William.  A year later, their second son, James was born.  In 1965, they sold the business and moved to Pismo Beach.  Their plan was to renovate houses.  The problem was that they fell in love with the second house and she lived there for 51 years.  She was a devoted wife and mother.  Wanda was a Room Mother at Shell Beach Elementary School and Cub Scout Den Mother for her sons.  She was an excellent cook.  In the high school and college years, she would make homemade pizza for Poker nights and club get togethers.  Fourth of July was always a big occasion.  She would make homemade ice cream, popcorn and lemon squares to watch the fire works off the Pismo pier.  Wanda was always there for her family and will always be missed.

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