Wanda Faye Sledge, daughter of Hardy and Beaulah Sledge, was born May 16, 1937 in Southern Illinois near the small community of Keenes.  A bit of a tomboy who helped her father farm, it was said that Wanda could back a hay wagon better thatn any man in the county.  One day, while driving into town, she had a flat tire and an Air Force Sergeant named Dannie Bowling came along on foot, also on his way to town.  Wanda offered him a ride into town if he would change the flat tire.  Eighteen months later, while both were attending Lincoln Christian College in Lincoln, Illinois, they were married on February 18, 1956.  After the birth of five (5) sons, two (2) of which died shortly after childbirth, Dannie got his first full-time position of Minister at Herrick Christian Church in Herrick, Illinois.  Wanda led the singing, taught Sunday School, organized youth groups, and any other task the church and community asked of her.  After eight (8) years in Herrick, the family moved to Southeast Missouri where Dannie began preaching at Higdon Christian Church near Fredericktown, Missouri, and all of the duties she performed while at Herrick she now performed at Higdon.  Dannie's work in highway construction required a move back to central Illinos, but they continued their ministry at Higdon, making the drive back and forth every weekend.  During this time Wanda managed and rehabilitated the Lincoln College Bookstore in Lincoln, Illinois, making it something it had never been before—a profitable business.  Eventually they got back to their beloved home in Missouri and Wanda compledted her education and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University.  For a number of years in the 1980's, Wanda taught school in Knob Lick, Missouri.  In the 1990's she began selling Princess House Crystal for which she won numerous top-sales awards.  After her time selling crystal, she began making quilts for which she also won awards.  Wanda loved spending time with friends and family and always loved ministering to and serving the church.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Hardy and Beaulah Sledge and her two (2) infant sons, Mark and Steve Bowling.  She is survived by her husband of nearly sixty five (65) years, Dannie Bowling; her three (3) sisters Lois (Jerry) Greenwalt, Doris (George) Smith, both of Waye City, Illinois, and Millie (Jerry) Aultman of Eufaula, Alabama: her three (3) sons Patrick (Kary) Bowlins, Michael Bowling, both of Fredericktown, and Timothy Bowling of Sullivan, Missouri; three (3) granddaughters Sarah Kelly of Fredericktown, Danee Bowling of St. Louis, Missouri, and Erin (Colton) Starkey of Farmington, Missouri; two (2) great-grandchildren, Tallyn and Richard Miller of Fredericktown.