Wanda Rheay's Obituary
Wanda Jean Rheay, 83, of Plano, Texas passed away peacefully in the presence of her family Friday, January 19th at 3pm.Wanda was born to L.A. (Dick) and Thelma Bennett in December 1934 in Wichita Falls, Texas, the second of eight children. She grew up in Dorchester. As a young woman she worked in the ticket booth at the iconic Texas Theater in Sherman where she met her husband, R.E. (Gene) Rheay, who was the projectionist. Later, she worked at Dixie Drug in downtown Sherman where she eventually became the bookkeeper, even after moving to Dallas in 1959 with her young family. Her experience in bookkeeping led her to a career in finance, working for a title company, various banks and most notably, Northpark Bank in Dallas, where she was working when she retired in 1994.She and Gene were married in Sherman in December 1951. They were married for 51 years. Among their interests was a shared love of mystery novels, especially Agatha Christie, Earle Stanley Gardner and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.After the death of her husband in 2002 she moved from Dallas to Plano at the same time as both of her daughters and their families. Wanda is survived by her children Sharon Belanger, son-in-law David Belanger and Janis Foster. She had two grandchildren, Lukas Foster, Hannah Foster Grove and Hannah’s husband Erick Grove and was great grandmother to their daughter Brooklyn Grove. She also leaves behind sisters Virginia Hood, brother-in-law Arthur Hood of Fairview, Hazel Bennett of Rosenberg, Brenda Rogers of Brenham and brother Ronald Bennett and sister-in-law Ida Bennett of Anna. Wanda is also survived by Gene’s sister, Marillyn Frost, of Lewisville.She was preceded in death by her sister Doris, brothers Bobby and John and her son-in-law Bruce Foster.Wanda was a faithful Christian who instilled the love of the Lord in her children and grandchildren. She was a member of the congregation at West Allen church of Christ until her passing.There will be a visitation at 11am preceding the funeral service. The funeral will begin at 12 Noon on Wednesday, January 24th at the Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Avenue in Dallas in the Abbey Chapel.
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