Wanda Lee Courtouise

Wanda Lee Courtouise of Bourbon, MO, departed this life in St. Louis, MO, on July 30, 2018, having reached the age of sixty-nine years, six months and two days.  Wanda was born in Washington, MO, on January 28, 1949, daughter of Earl Edward Hampton and Erma Emma Hampton nee Butler. On December 4, 1971, she was  united in marriage to Eddie Dean Courtouise and four children came to bless this union.

Wanda is survived by her husband, Eddie Courtouise of Bourbon, MO; by her children, Jennifer Lewis and husband, Ray,  of Cuba, MO, Clayton Courtouise and wife, Shondra, of Bourbon, Ashley Durbin and husband, Matthew, of Kirkwood, MO and Justin Courtouise and fiancée, Jennifer Gumpenberger, of Cuba; by eight siblings, Edward Hampton of St. Clair, MO, Charles and Tom Hampton, both of Kansas City, MO, Mary Davis and husband, Steve, of St. Clair,  William Hampton and wife, Holley, of Lonedell, MO, James Stephens and wife, Tiffany, of Union, MO, Jeffrey Stephens and wife, Jammie, of Piggott, AR and Christina Stephens of Sullivan, MO; by five grandchildren, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Erma Hampton; by two sisters, Norma F. Courtoise and Claudia Hampton, and by one infant brother.

Wanda was a Christian, believing in the Lord as her Savior and had most recently attended a Baptist church near her home. She had a passion for cooking and had worked as a cook at Redwood Manor Nursing Home in Bourbon for about six years. She then opened her own cafe, known as the Clark Street Cafe, in Sullivan, MO, which she operated for two years. She then cooked at Cracker Barrel in Sullivan for about eight years. Above all else, Wanda's family was always her first priority and she was happy to be able to babysit for all her grandchildren. She was artistically talented and in younger years had enjoyed doing oil painting, as well as sewing. She loved the outdoors and wildlife and feeding and watching the birds was a favorite pastime. The love shared and memories created will remain with her family forever.

Funeral services were held at 12 Noon on Thursday, August 2, 2018, at Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, MO, with the Rev. Ben Kingston officiating. Interment was in Prospect Cemetery, Lonedell, MO.