Wanda "Worm" Rohr Mitchell was born in 1928, the oldest of three children who experienced the Great Depression and WWII on her father's teacher salary; she considered herself lucky because they always had access to books.
Spending her childhood in different parts of Texas, Wanda gained a sense of adventure and interest in others. She took her interest in others to Baylor University where she graduated in Baylor's first nursing class in 1950. Post graduation she worked at Texas A&M University where she met her future husband David Mitchell. Marrying in 1951 David and Wanda moved to Garland where they raised their two children. Wanda spent her nursing career in the ER and training nurses, where she picked up the nickname Worm. Upon their retirement David and Wanda moved to Winnsboro where they became heavily involved in Lions Club International.
Wanda was a Lion for over 50 years serving in many officer roles, attending international conventions, serving as a Youth Exchange host for Lions from all over the world, many of whom became extended family. She was heavily involved in Lions International mission of providing sight to people around the world through eye glass donations and the UT Southwestern Eye Bank, acting as a committee member honoring donors. It is through Lion's Club that Wanda met her travelling companion of many years Warren Proctor - together they travelled across North America for Lion training, conventions, and visiting a host of family members and friends.
Tapping into her nursing background she worked as a summer camp nurse, at Camp Mitre Peak Girl Camp in West Texas from 1994-2004 dispensing not only medicine but special Worm hugs. Becoming a stand in mom and listening ear, Worm as she was affectionately known was a warm place to land not just for sick campers but for counselors and staff alike. Unflappable to a fault, Wanda was known for her decorated Christmas cookies delivered by the plateful. Her dry wit and cut throat rummikub and 42 skills but most of all the friends and community she built around her in her 97 years. Wanda is preceded in death by brother and sister, her husband David Mitchell, son Alan Mitcherll, and her companion Warren Proctor. Wanda is survived by her daughter, 3 grandchildren and six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Counting friends among her family Wanda is survived by friends from around the world from church, Lions Club, Girl Scouts, and more.
