After a brief yet valiant fight with cancer, Wanda June (Richardson) Smith was finally reunited with her husband, Roy, in the presence of their Lord and Savior. Without doubt, Mr. Smith found in her a virtuous wife, "far more precious than rubies" (Proverbs 31:11) His heart trusted in her, and he had no lack of gain. She did him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
(paraphrase of Proverbs 31:11-12). She passed from this world into the eternal bliss of heaven on April 24, 2024. Wanda was born on March 19, 1932, in Eastland, Texas, to Dunken and Bessie (Parker) Richardson. She attended the Eastland schools and was married to her high school sweetheart, Roy Lee Smith, on December 10, 1949. Roy and Wanda worked side by side throughout 68 years of marriage. Whether she was answering calls for Smith Plumbing, managing their Greater Life Bible Bookstore, or even helping to load and unload ice after hours for S&S Ice, she was "willing to work with her hands" (Proverbs 31:13). Mrs. Smith always ensured a hot, homemade meal for breakfast and dinner, and she had lunch ready should Mr. Smith take a break from work long enough to eat. While Mr. Smith was " known⦠when he sits among the elders of the land" (Prov. 31:23) as he volunteered much time and talents to better his community and preserve family and county history and historic buildings, Mrs. Smith remained his greatest cheerleader from the sidelines. Although he often had too many "irons in the fire," Mrs. Smith managed their home and family, allowing him to lean into the calling he heard. In turn, for many years he made sure she had her favorite Cadillac to drive. Roy and Wanda relished spending time with dear friends. The Eastland Homecoming event was always a favorite that they eagerly looked forward to every five years. They loved traveling both abroad and around the United States in their younger years. One of their favorite trips was a train trek from coast to coast with long-time friends as they explored majestic views of this country. In addition to being a supportive spouse and faithful companion to her husband, she was also a devoted mother to their four children: Mildred, Kay, Mike, and James. They raised their children in the house of the Lord, and she ensured that they all were dearly loved and cared for. Surely, "her children rise up and call her blessed" (Proverbs 31:28) As a grandmother, the love she felt for her family blossomed further. She loved taking all of the grandchildren to church to worship God together, and she treasured the Thanksgivings, Easters, and Christmases spent under one roof. There was always great laughter, even if the pie wasn't always perfect. Mrs. Smith enjoyed playing games, including rousing battles of chicken foot, go-fish and Yahtzee. She also loved her Coca-Cola and Wrigley's Spearmint Gum. She and Mr. Smith were staunch fans of the Eastland Mavericks football team, even making maverick head shaped cookies for the team. She could be heard loudly cheering in the stands, even if sometimes she wasn't 100% sure what was happening. Loyalty, win or lose, was a virtue of hers, and she would be quite irate if fans left before the time on the clock expired. Mrs. Smith was always steady and unwavering in her convictions. No matter the topic, be it benign or alienating, she stood her ground. Even if she disagreed with someone in her family, though, that never changed the love carried for them. Left to cherish the memories include her daughter Mildred Stroud of Eastland; Kay Branham and husband Dexter of Desdemona; Mike Smith of Olden; and James Smith of Eastland, grandchildren Doug Mannke of Eastland, Joe Mannke and wife Michelle of Burleson, Bryan Mannke and wife Kim of Abilene, Sandra (Daniel) Hancock and husband Darren of Waco, Bessie (Smith) Garcia and husband Gilbert of Eastland, Roy D. Smith Cisco, Rusty Smith and wife Erika of Louisiana, and Jackie (Wolfe) Boner and husband Roger of Eastland; as well as seventeen greatgrandchildren, numerous great great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy; parents Dunken and Bessie Richardson; and sisters Valera Brown, Nita Faye Tuckness, and Celeste Schultz; brother Hayden Richardson; and son-in-law Greg Daniel. The family wishes to thank the hospice workers who have worked alongside her familial caregivers to make these last weeks more comfortable. "When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory."
