Wanda Mae Smith

Wanda Mae Robinson Smith went home to be with our Lord Sunday, October 15, 2017. Wanda is survived by her daughter Jannine Thompson, son in law Rick, three grandchildren; Alexandra, Matthew, Benjamin; 9 brothers and sisters; Lorene, Wayne, Raymond, Wilma, Tom, Genevieve, Sharon, Buenola, Beverly; and beloved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, and her brothers Clarence and Buster.

Wanda was born on August 26, 1938 to William Rome and Vava Arvila Wilson Robinson in Ava, Missouri. She went to school in Fordland. While there she enjoyed playing volleyball and softball. She won athletic awards for her sports talents.

She was raised in the West Finley Baptist Church. It was there on August 26, 1966 that she married Jerry Wayne Smith of Springfield, Missouri. Shortly after, they moved to Dallas, Texas where in July of 1969 they adopted a daughter, Jannine Renee Smith. Wanda worked as a property manager as her primary occupation. She also through the years made cakes, worked as a church childcare worker, and taught children’s Sunday School. She loved being with children, crafts, sewing, and cooking. And she was great at all of them. In addition, she studied Floral Design at Richland College.

Wanda and Jerry moved to Missouri City, Texas to be closer to their daughter Jannine and grandchildren. She stayed very busy volunteering at the children’s schools, caring for them when Rick and Jannine were working, and going to many, many, many soccer, football, track, volleyball, baseball, swimming, band, and school events for her grandchildren. They affectionately called her “Nana.”

In recent years, Wanda became an active member at the Heritage Baptist Church in Missouri City. She enjoyed many friends, positive memories, bible study groups, and ministries there. Her personal ministries were VBS decorating and painting, Bibles for VBS children that became saved, personal crafts/stories that she shared with members when she served as a greeter, and serving with close friends in the Christian Crafters group. Each of these brought her immense and fulfilling joy.

She will be remembered in a Memorial Service at Heritage Baptist Church, 2223 FM 1092, in Missouri City, Texas, on Saturday, October 21st at 11AM with a reception to follow. She will be laid to rest at the West Finley Baptist Church Cemetery in Fordland, Missouri on Monday, October 23rd at 10 AM.