Obituaries

Wanda Smith

Photo of Wanda Smith
Wanda Gene Hardy Smith, 89, entered her eternal home on January 8. She is survived by her devoted family: son, Ray Smith of Bryant; daughter, Sharon Short of Bryant; and son, Kirby Smith and his wife, Stephanie, of Dallas, Texas. She had four grandchildren, Cally Adcock and her husband Cory of Cave Springs, Ark., Drew Short of Bentonville, Ark., Aidan Smith of Dallas, Texas, and Weston Smith of Dallas, Texas. She also had two adoring great-grandchildren, Ferguson Adcock and Fitz Adcock of Cave Springs, Ark. Wanda is preceded in death by her parents, Floye and Deane Hardy Sr., and her brother, Deane Hardy Jr., and his wife Rena. She was born September 16, 1931, in Social Hill, Ark., and graduated from Malvern High School. Wanda earned her bachelor of science in education from Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas) and her master's degree from Northern Arizona University. Wanda was a dedicated teacher and business manager of the Bryant School District for 36 years, helping to build it into the district it is today. She was also the City Clerk for 20 years and served as interim mayor of Bryant. When giving her valedictorian speech to the Malvern class of 1949, Wanda challenged her classmates to hold high the torch of democracy, learning and Christian fellowship as they worked to make the world a better place. This, she stressed, was the birthright of any child born under the protection of the American flag. Wanda met this challenge as she worked tirelessly to reach these goals, all while raising a family and sowing seeds of kindness as she went. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, January 15, at Ashby's Funeral Home in Benton. A live stream service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday morning, January 16. See FUMC Bryant Facebook page for the link. A service of interment by Ashby Funeral Home will be at 2 p.m., Saturday at Social Hill Cemetery in the Social Hill Community. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the memorial fund at the First United Methodist Church of Bryant. Online guestbook at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.

Published January 13, 2021

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