Wanda Louise Mitchell-Fisk

Wanda Louise Mitchell-Fisk, 93, of Jackson, MO passed away peacefully at home on February 6, 2026. She was born in Rector, AR in 1932 to Leonard and Rutha Foster. She attended Rector High School, graduating in 1950. She was in the band, wrote for the school newspaper, and received the journalism award. Attending her class reunions and seeing old classmates at the Rector Labor Day picnic was one of her favorite annual activities. While working at Schaafs' Variety Store, 17-year-old Wanda met her future husband, Joe Mitchell of Paragould, AR. In her journal, she wrote: "Handsome, good, polite, kind, smart, brown eyes, black hair, slender, tall, dark skinned - oh how very handsome! Could he possibly want me? I couldn't believe that he could possibly want me. I was in awe that this handsome young man from Paragould, AR could possibly want - or love me." They wed on Feb. 18, 1951, and were married for 45 years before his death in 1996. Wanda wrote in her journal that she didn't think she would ever find anyone to share her life with again, but a phone call to a widowed Arkansas acquaintance led to a courtship and a second marriage to Dan Fisk in 2003. In a Facebook posting about him, she said: "He was exceptional … so thoughtful and considerate … always a step ahead .. so handsome wearing his hat on Sunday for Methodist Church services!! Most considerate person ever!! Thoughtful and kind!! Very fine gentleman!!!" They enjoyed four years of marriage together before his death in 2007. Shortly after their marriage, Wanda and Joe moved to Hayti, MO where they began their family. Son, Joey was born in 1953 followed by daughter, Julie in 1958. They later moved to New Madrid, MO where they had a stillborn infant daughter, Jill Elizabeth. Wanda worked at the Bank of New Madrid. In 1970, they moved to Doniphan, MO where Wanda lived for 38 years. She was active in the Doniphan United Methodist Church, singing in the choir and serving as a secretary for the United Methodist Women's group. In 1973, Wanda became a businesswoman at a time when women could not have a credit card or bank account without their husband's signature. She opened the Village Boutique and sold women's clothing in downtown Doniphan. Fashion was her passion, and Wanda poured her heart and soul into the business. A 1979 Prospect News article about the Village Boutique said that "Mrs. Mitchell desires to be able to furnish women of the area attractive merchandise at attractive prices. The store specializes in Missy and Junior fashions and accessories in well-known brand names." Wanda was also a member of Doniphan's Business and Professional Women's (BPW) Club. A new chapter in Wanda's life began in 1977 with the birth of her first grandchild. Wanda and Joe had six grandchildren: Jason, Shannon, Nicole, Natalie, Tommi Jo, and Sarah Elizabeth. She loved it when they came for a visit to Doniphan or at their camper site in Hardy, AR. She made sure they had their favorite foods and were well-dressed. A regular ritual of a visit to Mimi's house was having pictures made in the front yard, and she had hundreds of photos of the grandchildren. In a 1997 journal, she wrote: "We have 6 very fine and lovely grandchildren - handsome and beautiful, smart and sweet. There's only good stuff in each of our "babies", so maybe we didn't do so badly with them." Wanda suffered her greatest loss in 2000 when her son, Joey, passed away. In 2008, she moved to Jackson, MO to be closer to her daughter, Julie. Over the years, she was excited to welcome great-grandchildren into the family: Tyler, Micah, Ava, Matthew, James, Nora, Avery, Will, August, Arlo, and Ben. The antics of the great-grandchildren gave her a lot of pleasure in her final years. Wanda was an animal lover, especially dogs. She was known for feeding them with a fork, so their fur didn't get messy, and her pets always sat by her side at dinner time waiting to be fed table scraps. She often said that she couldn't enjoy a meal if her dog was hungry. She had several dogs over the years, but her final companion was Sunny, who laid as close as possible to her on the couch or bed and was known for stealing food from her plate if she could reach it. As Wanda's health declined, Facebook became an important way she stayed connected with the outside world. She loved commenting on other's posts and sending messages to friends and family or those she only knew through Facebook. As several people noted, she was known for her kindness and positive affirmations in her comments, often going back and adding more comments, which included capital letters and multiple exclamation marks. As one Facebook friend said, "She was one of kind. Although we never met in person, I felt as though we had. Her radiant positive energy will always live in our hearts and memory!" When Wanda was no longer able to live alone, she moved into her daughter and son-in-law's home where she lived her remaining days. The family is grateful to special friends Martha, Tami, and Robin who gave her love and care, as well as Crown Hospice and her primary nurse, Maddie. Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard Wesley Foster, Rutha Eva Foster Moore, siblings, Maurietta Foster Gallagher and Paul Aaron Foster, husbands, Joe Leamul Mitchell and Daniel L. Fisk, her son and infant daughter, Joe Leamul II and Jill Elizabeth Mitchell. She is survived by her daughter, Julia Ann Mitchell Ray, son-in-law, Dennis Ray of Jackson, MO, grandchildren, Jason and Sarah Elizabeth of Memphis, TN, Shannon of Oakland, CA, Nicole (Jamie) of Lake St. Louis, MO, Natalie (Bj) of Pierce City, MO, Tommi Jo of Jacksonville, FL and 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her "family-in-love," the Sheltons: Dena, Mike, Christopher (Katrina), Elizabeth, Andrew, Cassidy (Xavier). The visitation and funeral will be held at Ford and Sons Funeral Home, Cape Girardeau, MO on Tuesday, February 10th, with the visitation from 10:00am - 12:00pm, and the funeral directly following at 12:00pm. A private family burial will be held on Wednesday, February 11th at Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector, AR. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations support the organizations that provided Wanda with her last two beloved dogs: HavaHeart Rescue (Checks may be sent to PO Box 14336, Springfield, MO 65814. Please put "in memory of Wanda" in the memo or donate online and include "in memory of Wanda" in the comments) or SEMO Pets. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com Ford & Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements

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Wanda Louise Mitchell-Fisk

March 23, 1932 - February 6, 2026