Wanda Suggs Smith

Wanda was born on July 14, 1932, in Burlington, NC, to Carl Leonard Suggs and Maggie Vera Isley Suggs. An only child, from an early age Wanda cared for her mother, who suffered greatly from the effects of diabetes. The family shared a house with Wanda’s maternal grandparents, Milton and Minnie Isley, who spoiled her at every opportunity.

After graduating from Burlington High School, Wanda worked in the payroll and billing department for a local hosiery mill before enrolling at Women’s College (now UNC-Greensboro) where she earned a certificate in accounting in 1953.

Wanda met her husband Larry in the stands at a chilly high school football game when he convinced her to let him share her blanket. Larry went home that night and told his mother he’d met the woman he was going to marry. It would take him three years in the Marine Corps to convince Wanda that he could support her and settle down.

Larry and Wanda wed in 1954, a union that lasted for 69 years. After the Marine Corps and marriage, Wanda worked and Larry completed his degree in Business at Elon College. While at Elon they were blessed with the arrival of their daughter, Lynne in 1956 and their son Neil followed in 1959 and was born in South Boston, VA. After living in Virginia for 14 years, the Smith family moved to Raleigh in 1970.

Wanda spent many happy years at their Raleigh home and made a great place for friends and family to share their lives. She found great joy in her life as a mother, grandmother and great grandmother and was content as an “at-home” mom and homemaker. With the birth of her two grandsons, then four great grandchildren, she was overjoyed to invest herself in their lives. Wanda's strong faith in Christ defined her life and was her source of strength. The Smiths made Calvary Presbyterian Church in Raleigh their spiritual home in the late 1980’s and remained faithful members for the rest of their lives. After their children left home for college, Wanda became active in Bible Study Fellowship for over 15 years, serving in administrative and small-group leadership.

Upon Larry’s retirement, the Smiths traveled much of the U.S. and Canada by Amtrak train and as well enjoyed annual trips to Florida for the Ligonier Ministries conference and to retreats at Ridge Haven, the Presbyterian Church in America’s retreat center in the North Carolina mountains.

After selling their beloved homeplace in 2016, the couple moved to the Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community in Raleigh, NC. Larry and Wanda joined in an active social life at Springmoor involving themselves in committees, library work and visiting folks at the Stewart Health Center.

Wanda left a strong legacy as a spiritual mentor, a loving friend, a generous giver and an example of living out life to the glory of the heavenly Father. She will be greatly missed here, but is now with her savior, Jesus Christ and her beloved son Neil and other departed family and friends who preceded her.

Matthew 25:19 “Well done, good and faithful servant”

In addition to her parents, Wanda was predeceased by her son Neil, who passed at age 55 of cancer in 2014. She is survived by her husband Larry; her daughter, Lynne King, and husband David, of Wilmington, NC; her grandson, Shepard and wife, Elyse from Waynesville, NC, along with great-grandson Webster; her grandson, Lewis and wife, Lauren, of Raleigh, NC, along with great-granddaughter Landrie, and great grandsons Levi and Luke.

A celebration of life and reception for Wanda was held Friday, June 7, 2024 at Calvary Church, 6520 Ray Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613, where the family will receive visitors. Pastor Nate Wilks will officiate the service.

The family would like to thank all caregivers/special friends/staff at Springmoor, the church families from Calvary and a host of friends who supported Wanda and Larry throughout her illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made in Wanda’s name to Transitions LifeCare Raleigh.