Wanda L Hughlett

Wanda Lorene (Hoopes) Hughlett was born September 12, 1940, at the Galloway Hospital in Anthony, KS. She is the daughter of Herbert Leroy Hoopes and Ann Louise (Mercer) Hoopes of Bluff City, KS. She was called home to her Savior at 5 p.m. on October 22, 2026.

In 2nd grade, Wanda was forced by her mother to start piano lessons, which she hated to the point of tears. However, it was not long before Wanda’s unique talent began to emerge. After only three years of instruction with her first piano teacher, Ruth Baker, Wanda’s mother was told she would have to find another piano teacher because, as Ruth exclaimed, “I’ve taught her everything I know and she’s already better than me.”

Through her middle school and high school years, Wanda was under the tutelage of Mr. Edmondson, a piano teacher in Anthony. Mr. Edmondson was a good classical pianist who encouraged Wanda to play in this genre. But Wanda also enjoyed several southern gospel artists such as Rudy Atwood of the long running “Old Fashioned Revival Hour” radio program. She spent untold hours listening to and imitating several of his improvisions and arrangements. She also developed many harmonies, runs, and tags of her own. Wanda loved to experiment and improvise and became good at it.

Mr. Edmondson was disappointed to learn she would not be attending the Wichita Conservatory of Music after high school as he had recommended. He said to her, “Wanda, you’ve got the kind of talent that you could get a good job doing something with your music.” Little did he know she would land the best job ever. Over her lifetime, she would lead tens of thousands to sing praises to the King of Kings.

Wanda gave her life to Christ around age 11 and decided soon after, along with her dear friend Janet (Clayton) Lindwall, that she would serve the Lord as a missionary to either Japan or China. As Wanda’s love and commitment to Christ grew, along with her clerical skills, she decided she could serve the Lord in the local church (at home or abroad) as an office administrator and “help out” when there was a need for a pianist. After high school, she set out for Baptist Bible College (now Mission University) in Springfield, MO. Not long after her arrival, Wanda’s talent caught the attention of the school’s administration, and she soon began playing for weekly chapel services.

In her third year at the college, she was introduced to a young freshman with a talented voice who had been asked to lead singing in chapel. When they met together to rehearse, something special was sparked, both in their lives and in their ministry together. Ed and Wanda were married on August 12, 1961. And the two would create a musical duo that was uniquely gifted for ministry in the local church. It was truly a match made in Heaven, as they would have a dynamic impact on numerous churches and thousands of people during their 60+ years of ministry.

Ed and Wanda were invited to participate in many revival meetings, radio and TV broadcasts, state and national conventions, and college seminars. Whether helping with a soloist, rehearsing with an ensemble, directing a choir, or simply getting a congregation to enjoy singing, Ed and Wanda had a special ability “together” to enhance the church worship experience.

To her family, Wanda was much more than an exceptional musician. She was an incredibly selfless, giving, witty, strong, and most of all, godly influence on her children and grandchildren. She was remarkable in the kitchen, hardworking (cleaning was her hobby), with a faith not often preached but always seen in her selfless devotion to her Savior, husband, family and church.

Wanda will be deeply missed by her sons: Eddie (Julie) Hughlett, and Eric (Rhonda) Hughlett; sisters-in-law: Arline Byars and Sue Perrine; grandchildren: Ethan (Megan) Hughlett, and Raegan (Luis) Trevino; 2 great-grandsons: Jaxton Hughlett and Declan Hughlett; other relatives and many friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 am on October 30th, 2026, at Harvest Bible Fellowship with Pastor Ed Hughlett and Pastor Rick Barnett officiating. A graveside service will follow at Forest Park Cemetery in Anthony. The service will be livestreamed to Prairie Rose Funeral Home’s Facebook page, as well as Harvest Bible Fellowship’s Facebook Page.

Friends may view and register from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 29th, at Harvest Bible Fellowship in Harper, Kansas.

Memorials in memory of Wanda may be made to Harvest Bible Fellowship and/or Overland Park Baptist Temple and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS, 67003.