Breckenridge Texan

Wanna Bales, age 98, of Breckenridge, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2020. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 11, in the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene with Chaplain Richard Dunnam officiating. Interment will follow under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.

Wanna Marie Lynch was born on January 29, 1922, in Durant, Oklahoma, to parents Vernon T. Lynch and Mollie Elizabeth Fawver Lynch. She grew up in Spade, Texas, where she graduated high school in 1940. Wanna, also known by friends and family as Marie or Grandma Rie, met and married Malcolm Alexander Bales in Littlefield, Texas, on October 29, 1942. Malcolm was in the Army, so Wanna was a World War II Army bride. The family moved to Breckenridge from Lubbock in 1974 to retire at Hubbard Creek Lake. Wanna enjoyed traveling with her husband and family and was a member of the RV Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Mollie Lynch; her husband, Malcolm Bales; two brothers, Haswell Lynch, William Waldo Lynch; and one granddaughter, DeeVee Ann Grisham.

She is survived by her three children, Rita Karen Ratcliff and husband Robert of Marshall, Lana Cheryl Grisham and husband Richard, Lanny Malcolm Bales and wife Linda, all of Breckenridge; one sister, Geraldine Lynch Cowan of Georgia; ten grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers for the service will be Brook Grisham, Scott Key, Shannon Key and Shaun Key.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice and may be left at Morehart Mortuary. Condolences may be made online at www.morehartmortuary.net.