Wanda Beth Smith, 86, of Beaumont, entered into the presence of her Lord on July 9, 2014. Born on March 12, 1928, in Jacksonville, Texas, Wanda was the daughter of Jewel and Opal Trantham. She was a South Park Greenie, attended Tyler Junior College and Chenier Business School.
Wanda worked for F. W. Woolworth, when it first opened in the Gateway Shopping Center. For thirty-five years she was employed with Village State Bank, from which she retired. She taught Sunday School and GA’s and was a member of the Happy Steppers tap dancers at the Best Years Center. Wanda was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church and volunteered at Baptist Hospital three days a week.
She loved pretty shoes, pretty clothes and was always perfectly dressed. Wanda was a great cook and made the best pies, fudge and coconut cake. She played tennis for many years and Bridge. She always had a dog, and many times a dog and a cat, and loved babysitting her grand-dogs.
Wanda’s beautiful personality touched many lives and was always ready to put everyone else’s needs before hers. She was sweet, kind, sassy, fun loving and the most caring person you would ever hope to meet. In an instant she would light up a room. Wanda will be missed and would want you to remember her smile and the love she had for everyone.
She is survived by her daughter, Sandy Torrence Griffin and her husband, Bill; grandchildren, Randy Hester and his wife, Brooke and Holly Hester Gallier and her husband, Dustin, and Jeff Mathis and his fiance’, Lisa; three great-grandchildren; step-grandson, Shawn Griffin and his wife, Lindsey, of Wasilla, Alaska; nieces, Linda Franks of Tyler and Debbie Prescott of Duluth, Georgia; and her special companion, Little Angel. Wanda was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Jack W. Trantham, all of Tyler.
A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at the Olga Keith Wiess Auditorium, Baptist Hospital Cancer Center, 3555 Stagg Drive, Beaumont. Cremation was held under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Wanda’s name to the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P O Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77726.
