Wandalee Rader

Wandalee Rader, 80, of Parkersburg, WV, passed away on March 26, 2021 at the Willows Nursing Home, Parkersburg, WV. Wandalee was born on June 13, 1940 on her Great Grandfather, William B. Morris’ farm on Cokely Road, near Cantwell, Ritchie County.She was the daughter of Willis Wade and Opal K. Morris Smith.She was a descendent of Thomas and Phebe Tucker Cunningham of American frontier fame. Thomas Cunningham was a Revolutionary War soldier and Phebe’s harrowing capture by the Wyandot tribe and her subsequent rescue and return is well known and documented in several historical texts. Wandalee Smith and Homer Rader were united in marriage on April 15, 1960 in Harrisville, WV.They spent their working years in Norton, Ohio and in 2003 retired to Parkersburg, WV.Wandalee was a graduate of Cairo High School with the class of 1957. She served Emerge Ministries, Inc., Akron, Ohio as executive secretary to Dr. Dobbins.She also worked as the secretary for various churches and as executive secretary for B & W in Akron, Ohio.She was a member of the First Assembly of God in Springfield, Wadsworth and Barberton, Ohio and Parkersburg, WV.She was a gifted musician and loved playing the piano at home and church. Her favorite times were spent playing the piano, entertaining family and friends, and reading. Left behind to cherish her memory are her son, Christopher (Brenda) Rader of Dallas, GA; daughter, Victoria Rader of Parkersburg, WV; brothers, Alden Neal Smith of Pennsboro, WV and Roger Dean Smith of Gaston, SC; sister, Marjorie Mahaney of Mineral Wells, WV; and sister-in-law and best friend from high school, Deloris Layfield Smith of Cairo, WV.She also leaves two special grandsons, Jonathon and Jeremy Rader. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Lee Rader; and brothers, Alvis Wayne Smith, John Paul Smith and Willis Wade Smith, Jr. Funeral services will be held 1:00 pm, Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at Kimes Funeral Home, 521 Fifth Street, Parkersburg, WV with Reverend Brad Puckett officiating.Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.Burial will be the following day, Thursday, April 1 at Noon, in the Morris Cemetery, Cokely Road, Cantwell, Ritchie County, located on her Great Grandfather’s farm about 1,000 feet from where she was born.