Wanda Elkins Britton

Born to George and Agnes Elkins on November 19, 1928 and passed away on August 13, 2013 in Gainesville, Texas at the age of 84. She graduated Gainesville High School in 1946. After attending business college in Dallas, she worked at the Haggar Company. Upon returning to Gainesville, she became a legal secretary for the late Judge Carroll Sullivant until 1951. She married Arch Dale Britton, Jr. on November 15, 1950 in Gainesville where she resided the rest of her life. She and Dale raised four children: Arch Dale Britton, III, Ann Sorrenson Spinks, Paula Lynn Britton and Mark Lamar Britton.

Wanda was a member of Whaley Methodist Church. The Brittons were named family of the year. She served on the board of education, as a Sunday school teacher, and vacation bible school director. She was the secretary for the Pines and Plains Brangus Breeders Association for 10 years.

Wanda was very active politically for many years. She became the Cooke County Coordinator for the following state campaigns: Govenor Dolph Brisco, House of Representative Charles Stenholm, and State Senator Jay Brummett. From 1972 – 1978 she served in the 22nd Senatorial District for the State Democratic Executive Committee. She was also a member of the following Texas State Committees: the Rules Committee, Resolutions committee, Affirmative Action Sub-Committee and as Vice Chairperson of the State Credential Committee. From 1997-1998, she was Democratic Chairperson for Cooke County. She was Vice-President of the Texas Democratic Women for one term.

Wanda was also a past member of the Garden Study Club, the Thursday Book Club, and the organizational committee for the Littlest Angel. She was President of the PTA for McMurry Elementary School.

She is survived by her daughter, Ann: grandchildren Janine Blakeborough and Daniel Sorrenson; and great-grandchildren, Ella Briann and Connor Reed Blakeborough.

Services were held privately on Thursday, August 15, 2013, at Geo. J. Carroll and Son Chapel.