Wendy Anne Smith was born Wendy Anne Free on February 6, 1951, in Palo Alto, California and went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus on November 10, 2021. She was raised in Bakersfield, California. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art.
After college, Wendy worked in Burlingame, California where she met the love of her life Gregory Allen Smith. They were married on September 23, 1978 and were happily married for 43 years. Wendy was an exceptionally strong woman, wife, and mother, giving birth at home to their two sons, Erik, and Ryan. She faced every challenge, obstacle, and hardship in her life and throughout her marriage with a quiet strength of character and was a constant comfort in both good and difficult times. She considered it a great honor and incredible privilege to be able to create a loving home and safe place for her family. She was very involved with her boys schooling, always volunteering and helping wherever there was a need. She was a second mother to all the boys’ friends, always ready to feed and care for them.
Wendy was the epitome of classy; her style and elegance were incomparable. She was an accomplished cook who loved to research and try new recipes with Greg, her always-willing guinea pig. Wendy was extremely humble concerning her gift of cooking and many can attest to enjoying her delicious meals. She was a voracious reader and visited her local library often bringing home at least 2-3 books at a time. She especially loved the Bible and Revelation in particular. She took a keen interest in people and loved to hear their stories. She was very involved with her Bible study groups and loved the Lord immensely. She was a member of several ladies’ groups and enjoyed going to luncheons with them.
Wendy loved animals. She had horses in her youth and as an adult had many dogs and cats. Her kitties were her favorites. She was very content and thankful for her life, never complaining, instead always feeling incredibly blessed. Wendy and her family enjoyed traveling, camping, boating, flying to see her mother in Bakersfield, and spending time with family. Family was everything to her, and she loved to cook and care for those she loved.
Wendy was preceded in death by Mary Edna Owen (her mother), Herbert W. Free (her father), and Ryan Ian Smith (her son).
She is survived by her loving husband Gregory Allen Smith, her adoring son Erik, his grateful wife Bryttny, and her grandchildren: Melody (10), Landon (7), and Grant (4) along with many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service celebrating Wendy’s life will be held on December 18, 2021 at 11:00 am at Cornerstone Community Church in Chowchilla located at 208 Fig Tree Rd in Chowchilla, California.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in the name of Wendy Anne Smith to Cornerstone Community Church Chowchilla Memorial Fund: (https://ccchowchilla.churchcenter.com/giving) or Friends of the Madera County Library: (https://friendsmcl.org/).