Wanda Nell Smith, 79 of Leesville, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 21,
2011.
She was born in Fort Collins, Colo. on Sept. 5, 1932, to Clarence Franklin and Velma Northcutt Rhodes.
Wanda married Ret. Command Sgt. Maj. Ivy Ray Smith on May 2, 1956 in Amarillo, Texas. During their marriage they were
assigned to Fort Riley, Kan., Republic of Germany, Fort Jackson, S.C., and Amarillo, Texas. They came to Fort Polk in 1967 where they have lived for the past 44 years.
Mrs. Smith began working civil service with a job at the Post Exchange
service in Korea. She retired as the Director of Alcohol and Drug Abuse with the community affairs office after 31 years of civil service. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and she loved her church. She was a member of LWML where she
served as president and secretary as well as convention coordinator. She taught Sunday school, played music for her church, volunteered for hospice and also worked with the Census Bureau.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence
Franklin Rhodes and Velma Northcutt Rhodes; and sister, Carolyn Sue Bean.
She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Ret. Command Sgt. Maj. Ivy Ray Smith of Leesville; daughters, Nancy Garcia and husband Andrew Garcia of Conroe,
Texas, Elizabeth Cooksey and husband Wyatt Cooksey of Livingston, Texas; son, David Ray Smith and wife Jamie Smith of Johnstown, Pa.; sister, Connie Johnson of Austin, Texas; grandsons, Dustin Paul Willis, William Andrew Smith, Jacob Allen Chapman
and Samuel Rhodes Smith; granddaughters, Amanda Wills Runnels, Molly Elizabeth Chapman, Jackie Lee Smith and Lilly Elizabeth Smith; and great-grandson, Mason Franklin Runnels.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Nov. 25 at Hixson Funeral
Home in Leesville. The service will be held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 26 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Leesville. Bro. Gary Archbold will be officiating. Pallbearers will be: Samuel Smith, Jacob Chapman, Chris Johnson, Donnie Johnson, Michael Runnels and
Andrew Garcia. Burial will follow in Bethel Community Cemetery in Logansport. under the direction of Hixson Funeral Home of Leesville.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfh.com.