Cynthia Smith Anderson

Cynthia “Cindy” Smith Anderson joined her Lord and Savior on Monday, June 29, 2026. Cindy was born September 21, 1959, in Charleston, SC, to Harry Smith and Susan McGrath Smith. She spent the majority of her childhood in New Jersey alongside her brother, Chris. Much of her young adulthood was spent in the Bay Area of California, which forever held a special place in her heart.

A true academic, Cindy received a degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley. She continued her education with a law degree from UC College of Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings), and a Master of Laws in Taxation from NYU. Cindy was a remarkable attorney, always advocating for the less fortunate both personally and professionally. Not only did she pass the bar exam in three states (TX, NM, and CA) and get published in the TX Bar, she also impressively tried a case in front of the US Supreme Court. Her law career culminated in being elevated to the position of partner at Kemp Smith, one of the most prestigious firms in West

Texas—all this while raising her three children: Alden, Campbell, and Macy. In addition to balancing her legal career and motherhood, Cindy always found time to advocate for the underprivileged and underserved. She served as President of the Child Crisis Center of El Paso, along with playing an integral role in the formation of Ciudad Nueva, an after-school mentoring program for at-risk elementary school students on the US-Mexico border.

After several years as a practicing attorney in Washington, D.C., and El Paso, TX, she pursued and received her Doctor of Ministry from Bakke Graduate University, later becoming a deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande.

It was in 2019 when Cindy found her true professional calling as a clinical ethicist at Memorial Hermann in Houston, TX. This challenging role integrated her faith, legal background, critical

thinking, compassion, and love—all traits in which Cindy excelled.

The move professionally allowed her the opportunity to step into her co-favorite role alongside mother, that of “Cici” to her three granddaughters: Merritt, Emery, and Lila. “The grandbabies,” as they were affectionately referred to by Cici, brought her immense joy, as she did to them. Seeing Cici at church on Sunday morning was a weekly ritual neither the girls nor Cici would miss.

We will never forget Cindy’s love for rom-coms, Local Foods salads, or her impressive feat of 1,000 Pilates classes recently completed this year.

Cindy is predeceased by her mother, Susan Smith; her brother, Christopher Smith; and her aunt, Lois McGrath.

She is survived by her father, Harry Smith, and his wife, Katherine Smith, of Hawaii and Florida; her daughter, Alden Anderson Thomas (Chris Thomas), of Phoenix, Arizona; her son, Campbell (Berkley Anderson), of Houston, Texas; her daughter, Macy Anderson (Beau Bost), of Austin, Texas; and her three granddaughters, Merritt, Emery, and Lila Anderson, along with countless friends and loved ones.

A memorial service for Cindy Anderson will be held July 10, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Divine (2450 River Oaks Boulevard, Houston, TX 77019).

Gifts in memory of Cindy Anderson may be made to the Child Crisis Center of El Paso or the charity of your choice.