Wanda Nell Hopkins Smothers, age 90, of Springfield, passed away Monday, March 17, 2025 at the Arbors of Springfield. Graveside services will be conducted at 11am Friday, March 21st in the Camden City Cemetery in Camden, TN.
The family will receive friends from 4-8pm Thursday, March 20th, at the Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield
Mrs. Smothers was a truly loving and devoted soul. She was born March 5, 1935, in Linden, TN, to the late Sam and Eula Hopkins. Wanda grew up in Brazil, TN, where she made lasting memories and excelled as Captain of her high school basketball team at Springhill High School.
Her strong work ethic began early, as she spent her summers picking cotton to fund her education at the University of Tennessee at Martin. While at UT Martin, she worked at Ma’s Boarding House, where she met the love of her life, Bobby Smothers. They were married in 1956 and spent over 50 years together building a life filled with love and laughter.
Wanda dedicated nearly 40 years of service to the Tennessee Department of Human Services, where her compassion and hard work touched countless lives. She found peace and joy working in her garden, often retreating there to find solace from her “four bad kids.”
A true fan of sports, Wanda loved cheering on the Tennessee Lady Vols. She also had a deep passion for travel, especially to Las Vegas, where she celebrated her milestone birthdays. Her love of music spanned generations, with a special place in her heart for Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, and Jimmy Buffett. Wanda’s friendship and loyalty were evident in the bond she shared with a close-knit group of ladies with whom she played bridge for over 50 years.
In addition to her parents, Wanda was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 51 years, Bobby Smothers; her son, Tracy Smothers; her sister, Peggy Gayle Freeman; and her brother, Rex Hopkins.
She is survived by her sons, Jeff Smothers (Jackie) of Springfield, TN, and Sammy Smothers of Stewart, TN; her daughter, Allyson Smothers of Germantown, TN; and her grandchildren, Matthew Proctor (Morgan) of Clarksville, Kami Brooke Spurlock (Steve) of Greenbrier, Kyle Robert Smothers of Springfield, and Christopher Alan Smothers (Stephanie) of Hendersonville. She is also survived by five great-granddaughters, Ava, Ali, Caroline, Madelyn, and Savannah Allyson, as well as many nieces and nephews whom she truly adored.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that memorial donations be made to: The Pat Summitt Foundation, P.O. Box 31002, Knoxville, TN 37930, or by visiting www.patsummitt.org
Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of these arrangements.
