Wandalea Alice Smith

Wandalea Alice (Hudson) Smith, age 94, of Jacksonville, FL, passed away on September 16, 2023. She was born January 22,1929 in Buffalo, NY to the late Elizabeth (Bostwick) Hudson and Harry Hudson. Wanda succumbed to Alzheimer's disease and was being cared for by her daughter, grandchildren, great grandchildren and Hosparus in Louisville, KY where she had been living.

Wanda was a graduate of Andrew Jackson High School and retired as a payroll supervisor from Haskell Construction. Immediately upon retiring Wanda went back to work as a switchboard operator at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville.

Wanda’s closest relationship was with Jesus. They talked constantly as she prayed for her family and everyone she knew and lots of others she heard about but had never met. She was a devoted member of Shindler Drive Baptist Church in Jacksonville and very active in her Joy Class. She loved to crochet and cook for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They had great fun putting puzzles together, going on adventures and going to Walmart.

In the last year of her life, Wanda enjoyed playing with and eating breakfast with her 2 year old great-great grandson Anthony. A few days before passing, she was able to play with her 7 month old great-great granddaughter Valerie. Her bonus granddaughter Riley, often colored with her, put puzzles together, chair danced, painted her nails and sang to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Stewart Hudson, Margie Miller, Leila Pais; son Robert Cole Outz, daughter in law Ann McCabe, son in law Ronald Nevitt Sr, daughter in law Fae McCabe; nephew Steve Miller, niece Terri Austin.

Left to cherish Wanda’s memory are her children Sharon Nevitt, John and Michael McCabe, Tami (Blu) Addison; daughters in law Rebecca McCabe, Tina Ouzts; grandchildren Wanda (Scott) Holston, Ronnie Nevitt Jr, David Browning, Tina and Nicholas McCabe, John Mcabe, Amanda Smith, Melissa Norman, Patricia Ouzts, Samantha (John) Walker; great grandchildren Scott (Maggie) Holston, Willa Holston, Sammie (Alex) Colucci, Cory, Matthew and Colten Nevitt, Caleb, Mya, Lana and Elijah Smith, Timothy and Andrew Norman, Adrianna Ouzts, Kadence and Garrit Dunlap, Kaytlyn Norman, Shealyn Horne, Sebastian and Ava Thornton, Kaia Walker; great-great grandchildren Anthony and Valerie Colucci, bonus granddaughter Riley Nevitt; nieces and nephews Barbara Potter and Patricia Tohal, Ronnie, David and Danny Miller; numerous other family and friends.

The family would like to thank all those who helped care for Wanda and to the Miller nieces that visited and put their Kentucky Derby hats on her for photos. A special appreciation to EJ McCarthy and Celia Summers for coming to the rescue on a moment’s notice.

Special gratitude goes to Hosparus of Louisville, Wanda’s nurses, aides and minister.

There will be a memorial service on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 12:00 pm in the chapel at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205. Wanda will be interred beside her sister Leila after the memorial service at Riverside Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Smith family.