1
tree
planted in memory of Wanda Lee Smart
Obituary for Wanda Lee Smart
The world was blessed when Wanda Lee Sanderson Smart was born on December 20, 1929, to Betty and Lloyd Sanderson in Texola, Oklahoma and passed from this life on June 6, 2024, in Leesville, Louisiana at the age of 94 wonderful years. She spent many happy days on the farm with her older brother, Sonny, and her younger sisters, Doris June and Nancy Lou. Her dad loved music and many a Sunday the family journeyed with him attending singings and supporting his guitar music and quartet group.
Wanda worked as a teen and one of her favorite jobs was at the J C Penny store in Portales, New Mexico where perhaps she first discovered her love of clothes, which has continued until the day she passed.
She met the love of her life, James Robert Smart, better known as Jim Bob, at the age of 14, when she was singing for a revival service. She did, however, choose to go to singing school and travel with a quartet, so Jim Bob had to wait a bit. However, they did marry on June 5, 1947, in Portales, New Mexico and started their life together.
They resided in Farwell, Texas where Jim Bob worked for Santa Fe Railroad. Vicki Lynn arrived on the scene and three years later, Karla Jean showed up.
Jim Bob and Wanda attended Texico United Pentecostal Church in Texico, New Mexico where Brother Jim Bob was the premier worship leader of the 50’s and 60’s, even into the 80’s. Mrs. Wanda served as his backup singer as she literally sat behind Jim Bob on the platform, playing her beautiful blue accordion and allowing her resounding alto voice to be lifted in praise. Vicki and Karla were instructed to sit on the front seat and be still. When they would waver, Wanda’s large brown eyes would look in their direction and chastise them with just one stern look. (Vicki, of course, was the instigator and Karla was totally innocent.)
Wanda and Jim Bob served the church in Texico not only in music, but raised money serving Mexico Dinners where Wanda was the Manager of it all. They paid off the church after much hard work and it was a highlight in their life when they burned the mortgage. Their life revolved around attending every camp meeting and every General Conference. Church and God were their life. They were friends to the ministry. They always supported their pastor and church. Also, they opened their home to young evangelists who might need a place to reside between revival meetings.
In 1977, they moved to Amarillo, Texas and served churches there. And in 1999, they moved to Austin, Texas to be close to Vicki and Joe. They enjoyed attending Christian Life Church and made many friends, helping with the bookstore and praying with people in the altar. When Jim Bob passed away in 2007, Wanda moved to be with Karla and Mark. In 2010, Wanda moved with them to Leesville, Louisiana when they became pastor at First United Pentecostal Church. Without a doubt, Wanda so enjoyed living in Leesville with all her new friends and wonderful church family.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Betty Sanderson, her dear husband, Jim Bob Smart, her brother, J. A. Sanderson, and her younger sister, Nancy Tivis. She is survived by her daughter Vicki and husband, Joe Christian of Austin, Texas, her daughter Karla and husband, Mark Christian of Leesville, Louisiana, grandchildren, Shanna Grooms, Kara Moses, Geoff and Allissa Christian, Courtney and Micah Barley, Kalee and Daniel Bernard, great grands, Alex and Ashlyn Grooms, Major McCool, Audrey and William Barley, Claire and Elise Bernard, and the most recent arrivals, Colson Christian and Khristian Bernard. Her sister, Doris Hapke, who has stood by her side for her lifetime, nephew, Tim Tivis and wife, Jodi, nieces, Cheryl Klika and husband Mike, Melissa Haxton, and many grand nieces and nephews also survive Wanda. The Smart Clan, nieces, Linda Penry and husband, Dan, Carol Burginger and husband, Terry, and nephew, Steve Smart, also loved Aunt Wanda as she babysat and entertained them all.
Wanda’s final resting place will be at Cook-Walden Forest Oaks Memorial Park on Thursday, June 13, at 2:00 p.m.
To plant a tree in memory of Wanda Lee Smart, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Tuesday
11
Jun
4:00 PM
- 6:00 PM
First United Pentecostal Church of Leesville
101 Nolan Trace
Leesville, LA 71446
Service
Tuesday
11
Jun
6:00 PM
First United Pentecostal Church of Leesville
101 Nolan Trace
Leesville, LA 71446
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