Mrs. Wanda R. Terrell

Mrs. Wanda Rosetta (Calaway) Terrell, age 70, passed away Friday, October 31, 2025. Services will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Kingdom Life Family Ministries International, 321 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313, with Pastor Keith Perry presiding. Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. followed by funeral service at 12:30 p.m. Burial will take place at Laurel Hill Cemetery after the service.

OBITUARY:

Wanda Rosetta (Calaway)Terrell was born July 9, 1955 to Nathaniel and Wyona Calaway in Des Moines, Iowa. Wanda was the ninth of ten children. Wanda grew up in Des Moines and received her education in the Des Moines Public School System, graduating from East High School in 1973.

Wanda’s work history included working at the DM Register as a senior in High School, and at Tiny Tots every summer during her teenage years. As an adult, Wanda worked for the State of Iowa for over 10 years, then at the Wilkie House, Inc., where she stayed for eight years. Wanda then went on to the Boys and Girls Club of America for just a couple of years, and shortly afterwards, she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and became disabled. She continued to babysit for people.

Wanda met and dated Ricky Terrell for a brief time in 1974. They reconnected in 2000 and married on October 13, 2001.

Wanda loved her family and friends. She has never met a stranger, greeting everyone with her warm, beautiful smile. Her hobbies were crocheting, collecting magnets, and watching movies. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, as well as cooking. Her spaghetti and beef burgers were a favorite for everyone. She loved kids and had babysat for most families' children and even for strangers caught without a sitter hours before they were due at their job. Her vehicles were always filled up with children for events and church. “Big ones on the bottom and small ones on top “ was her saying for her backseat. Wanda also loved to drive around town or on the highway. Although she was a very kind and gentle woman, Wanda was a great disciplinarian. Most mothers sent or tried to send their difficult children to Aunt Wanda’s for an attitude adjustment. Often, just the threat of calling her was enough to rectify the problem. Children loved to visit and play at her home.

Wanda not only raised her own children she also raised four great nieces and nephews. Wanda always wanted to have 10 children like her mother but ended up exceeding that with all her children.

Wanda departed this life to be with the Lord on October 31, 2025. Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ricky Terrell Sr., her sisters, Eileen and Lenora, her brothers, James and Curtis, her grandson, Brian and her granddaughter, Amerah.

She leaves to cherish her memories her daughters, Marlina (Lonnie) of Dallas, Texas, Jeri of Des Moines, IA and Octavia of Aurora, CO; her sons, Antwan (Shalonda), DonTaye, Jay, LaMonte, Troy, Tonjay, Diamonde, Johnny, all of Des Moines, IA; step-son, Ricky Jr; step-daughter, Tammy; her goddaughters, Hazel, Shawneesha, Ronshalae and Aniyah; her brothers, Norman Calaway of Houston, TX, Jerry Calaway of Minneapolis, MN, David Calaway of Las Vegas, NV; her sisters, Clara Sayles, Anita Jones, Sherry Calaway of Des Moines, IA and Doris Calaway of Aurora, CO; over 30 grandchildren and over 20 great-grandchildren; her best friends of over 65 years, two of the three amigos Kimberly Butler and Anita Rollins, sistas from anotha mista Juanita Buchanan and Kathy Smith; a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Wanda will truly be missed!!

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