On September 4, 1942, in Boynton, OK, a precious baby girl was welcomed into this world born into the married union of Corinzo Benjamin Smith and Flora Mae Nunley. They named their beautiful daughter Wyvette, the oldest of ten siblings.
She grew up in Boynton, OK as a little girl and attended Sugar Creek Elementary School on Old Taft Road. She moved to Phoenix, AZ at the age of seven. She attended Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Phoenix, AZ. They moved to the country and she transferred to Percy L. Julian Elementary School. She started going to church at an early age. She lived a few blocks from her church, Union Baptist Church, and was made to get up and walk to Sunday School. She graduated from South Mountain High School in May of 1960.
In September of 1960 she registered to attend Phoenix Jr. College. She completed one year at Phoenix Jr. College and in the Summer of 1961 she traveled to San Bernardino, CA to visit her father. While she was visiting her dad, she was introduced to a handsome young man, Walter Anderson, Jr.
On May 1, 1962 Walter Anderson, Jr. and Wyvette Smith joined in holy matrimony. This union was blessed with five lovely children: Clennis Vernice, Allen Gerald, Natalie Flora Sylvia, Damaris Lynelle, and Kassius Lamont. There was never a dull moment in the Anderson household. Walter and Wyvette modeled a strong family life for their children. They intentionally made sure their children were actively involved in positive activities. Including sports (soccer, basketball, football, softball, and track), community centers and church. The Anderson Family’s favorite vacation spot was Oklahoma! Every Summer the family packed up and drive to Oklahoma for two weeks of family fun and bonding.
While working full time as a Tutorial Assistant at an elementary and high school for children with disabilities and special needs children, and raising five children, she was able to complete her associate degree in ‘Business Administration’ at San Bernardino Valley College. All her children watched as she and her husband walked across stage at their graduation. Furthering your education was always a priority in the Anderson Family. There was no question as to if you were attending college after high school, it was where.
After suddenly losing her sister-in-law, Sylvia Anderson-Riley, who was like a second mother, she knew she needed help and started attending church faithfully, along with her children, at the Fontana Baptist Church in Fontana, CA (now known as the Loveland Center) under the leadership of Pastor Charles Singleton.
In August of 1980 Walter and Wyvette left San Bernardino, CA and moved their family back home to Oklahoma! When she moved to Oklahoma she worked at Jess Dunn Correctional Center (Jessy’s House as she called it) in Taft, OK as a Unit Secretary for 21 years before she retired. Some time after she moved to Oklahoma she gained the love of watching the CSI TV Series. All of them! She loved eating her dessert first and chicken (mostly fried) was her favorite food. You didn’t have a conversation with Wyvette for very long without her bringing up her pride and joy, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She joined Wilson Chapel Baptist Church on her arrival to Oklahoma and later became a faithful member of Macedonia Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Larry H. Smith. She often talked about her love for teaching Sunday School, serving in the Women’s Ministry and on the Evangelism Team. She believed in Christian Education and was a big supporter of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education and the Muskogee Branch of the Oklahoma School of Religion. She traveled all over the United States with the National Baptist Congress and continued that love of studying the word when she temporarily moved to Oklahoma City, OK with her daughter, Marcy. While in Oklahoma City she was a faithful member of the Fairview Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late John A. Reed, Jr. She returned home to Muskogee, OK and re-united with the Macedonia Baptist Church about a year before her health challenges.
On January 18, 2025 at the age of 82, Wyvette went home to be with the Lord. She is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Walter W. Anderson; Parents, Corinzo B. Smith, and Flora Mae Nunley-Brown; Her brothers, Richard, Corinzo (Bootsie), Benjamin (Scoodie), Eddie, Michael; Her sisters, Beverly, and Penny; One-great grandchild, Caius A. McMillon.
She leaves to cherish and honor her legacy: Her five children; Clennis Anderson-McMillon (Anthony) of Okmulgee, OK, Allen G. Anderson of Muskogee, OK, Natalie Anderson-Shipp (Keith) of Atlanta, GA, Damaris Anderson-Turner (Brian) of Oklahoma City, OK, Kassius L. Anderson (Tressy) of Muskogee, OK. Her brothers; Rev. Larry H. Smith (Deloris) of Muskogee, OK, Alfred Anderson of Upper Marlboro, MD. Her Sister; Lorraine Smtih of Tulsa, OK. Her pride and joy; 19 Grandchildren; 34 Great-Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren; And a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She will be missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Obituary provided by Biglow Funeral Home.