Wanda Ruth Jones Crumley

Wanda Ruth Jones Crumley of Smithfield, 93, passed away peacefully Thursday, October 9, 2025 at SECU Hospice House in Smithfield following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church of Smithfield on November 1st at 3:00 pm led by Reverends Lee Colbert and Kristen Tucker with visitation following in Ryberg Hall.

Wanda was born in Greeneville, TN on June 17, 1932 to the late Carl Franklin Jones and Grace Cox Jones. Growing up in the hills of Tennessee, she met and married the late David Eugene Crumley. Together they had five children and moved numerous times before settling in Smithfield, North Carolina.

She was a loving mother who spared nothing to provide for her family. But her favorite role was being Nana to her grandchildren. Her face would light up when they came to visit. She loved seeing them in their Halloween costumes, even dressing up herself to greet them at the door, and would keep the hot chocolate ready when they would come in from sledding down the hill behind her house. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed family get-togethers where she would provide a spread that could feed an army!

Her love of helping people showed through in her career as a bank teller. Her bright smile greeted each person and made them feel welcome and valued as a customer. After she retired, she participated in the Senior Games for over 20 years enjoying the camaraderie and competition. She also volunteered at the hospital in Smithfield assisting visitors when needed. She was an avid reader, devouring as many books as the library would allow her to borrow! She also loved doing word searches and phoning family and friends to catch up on their lives.

Wanda had a strong faith in Christ and joined First Baptist Church when they moved to Smithfield. She quickly became involved by joining the choir, keeping children in the nursery, and joining one of the WMU Bible Study groups. She even worked for a short time with the Afterschool Care program at First Baptist. When her health prevented her from coming to church, she continued her outreach by sending birthday cards and get-well cards to members of her Sunday School class and WMU group.

She is survived by her children: Michael Crumley (Robin), Sherry Stevens (Gary), Rick Crumley (Margie), Terri Foote, and Rob Crumley; grandchildren, Michael Baker (Lisa), Nikki Crumley (Andrea Henderson), Kevin Crumley (Taylor), Sarah Foote, Will Foote, Josh Crumley, and Rebecca Crumley; great-grandchildren, Coltyn Reece-Baker and Hailey Baker; brother-in-law, Bob Reece; several step grand and step great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings: an infant brother, Carl Jones, Jr. (Grace), Jack Jones (Susan), Louise Reece and Betty Kate Bishop.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the children or youth programs of First Baptist Church, 202 S. 4th St, Smithfield, NC 27577 or to a charity of your choice.