Wanda Bates Smith

Funeral services for Wanda Bates Smith, 90, of Lufkin will be held Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Steve Cowart officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mrs. Smith was born January 8, 1933 in Alto, Texas to the late Pearl Louvenia (Starling) and Ollie Lee Bates, and died Thursday, September 28, 2023 at her residence.

Mrs. Smith was raised in Forest, Texas on the family farm. She graduated from Wells High School. She married Ollie Dean Smith and they raised their family in Lufkin and Houston. She worked, cared for her family, and attended Nursing school at the University of Houston. Mrs. Smith enjoyed gardening and stitching of all kinds. She traced the genealogy of numerous family trees. She was an avid Houston Astros fan. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Midnight Oil Smockers Club, and a member of Trinity Baptist Church. Mrs. Smith was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Survivors include her son, Michael Dean Smith of Conroe; daughters, Jana Smith Hoffmann and husband Charles of Waxahachie, and Brenda Carr of Lufkin; grandchildren, Michael Dean Smith, Jr., and wife Heather, Ross Lee Smith and wife Jessica, Bridget Smith Livingston and husband Chris, Jeremiah J. Carr and wife Staci, Breanna Carr Noble and husband Richard, Kristin Marie Hoffmann, and Kayla Diane Hoffmann and husband Evan Pixley; great-grandchildren include, Grant Smith, Paige Smith, Dean Smith, Colton Livingston, Blaise Livingston, Dixon Livingston, Fannin Livingston, Addison Noble, Avery Noble, Hayden Carr, Preslee Carr, Eleanor Pixley and Amelia Pixley. Mrs. Smith is survived by her siblings, Mildred Bates Spears, James A. Bates, Jeannine Bates Hays, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; love of her life, Ollie Dean Smith; brother, Billy R. Bates; and daughter-in-law, Carolyn Casey Smith.

Pallbearers will be Michael D. Smith, Jr., Ross L. Smith, Jeremiah J. Carr, Charles W. Hoffmann, Chris Livingston, and Richard Noble.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 209 John Samford Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon prior to the services.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.