Wanda Jackson never set out to build a fortune. She set out to build a life—with her late husband, Ulen, by her side, their children in tow, and her faith in God guiding every step. What she didn’t expect was that a lifetime of diligence, humility, and wise stewardship would position her to give generously to a cause she holds dear: the children and families served by Dell Children’s Medical Center.
“I give God the credit for everything,” Wanda says. “He gave Ulen and me the wisdom to live beneath our means. And now, I want our lives to account for something.”
Wanda’s planned gift to Dell Children’s is more than financial—it’s spiritual, emotional, and deeply personal. It honors a life built through sacrifice and love, and it reflects her enduring belief in the power of compassionate care.
Wanda Jackson at the Butterfly Wall at Dell Children’s
Wanda and Ulen’s journey began with tight budgets and big dreams. She worked while he earned his degrees, they raised their children with discipline and faith, and they saved what they could. After more than three decades with Exxon, Ulen remained focused on the future. One day, he came in and said, “I found $100,000 just sitting in my Exxon accounts—I’m going to buy stock.” He did, and the very next week, Exxon’s stock split. Wanda just smiled and said, “Thank you, Honey.” That investment—and their shared commitment to building something lasting—is what made this gift possible.
But the road ahead wasn’t easy. Wanda cared for Ulen through 15 years of Alzheimer’s disease—tending to him with tenderness, creativity, and unwavering devotion. She reflects, “People would say, ‘He lived so long because of you.’ I’d say, ‘No, I couldn’t add a single second to his life—but I made sure he lived well.’”
It was after Ulen’s passing that Wanda truly discovered the scope of what they had built together. “I didn’t even know I had that kind of money,” she says. “But I knew exactly what to do with it.”
Her decision to include Dell Children’s in her estate was rooted in both gratitude and heartache. A friend’s grandchild, born with a critical heart condition, received life-saving surgery at Dell Children’s. “He’s a wild little boy now,” Wanda says with joy. “I just wanted to be a part of that story.”
But it was also the mental health crisis facing teens that pulled at her. Wanda has seen too many young lives lost to suicide—bright, beloved boys from loving families. “If even one child can go into Dell Children’s mental health unit and live… I want to be a part of that. I want our legacy to make a difference.”
Wanda Jackson greeting a patient
Wanda has made it clear to her children: her estate will support both Dell Children’s and her family. “There’s a large amount set in stone for Dell Children’s. No ifs, ands, or buts. And the rest is for my kids. But I’ve told them—this is what matters. Giving from the heart.”
At 80 years young, Wanda continues to care for her home, plant flowers, and live with purpose. She gives her time freely, mentors others, and never stops listening for God’s voice. “He speaks to me out loud in my head,” she says. “And when He tells me to give a gift, I do it.”
Wanda’s planned gift will create a lasting endowment at Dell Children’s, ensuring that world-class care, mental health services, and life-saving interventions are available for generations of children. It’s a reflection of her values—faith, generosity, and service—and of a life beautifully lived.