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Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 11:37 AM

In loving memory of Wanda Lee Susan Smith (Boyd)

In loving memory of Wanda Lee Susan Smith (Boyd)
Born in Wichita Kansas on December 29th, 1942 to Ivan L. Smith and Anita Dennis. Passed on April 3rd, 2020 in Fernley, Nevada surrounded by family.

Known by most as "Sue" and lovingly called "Old Woman" by a few. Sue lived her life on her terms and exemplified love, courage, kindness, generosity, and honesty. Her work consisted of so many things, from working at Beech Aircraft to Graphic Art Specialist at the University of Texarkana Texas, waitressing, truck driver, trailer park manager, to taking care of the elderly.

Sue was a quick-witted, strong, independent, and very funny woman who, according to her, did a "rain dance" because it was now raining and we needed it. As the matriarch of the family, she was consistently always there with kind words, an open heart, no judgment, a hot meal, warm bed, a shoulder to cry on, a few extra bucks, and a cribbage game if you wanted to lose. There wasn't an animal alive she didn't love. She was frequently caught releasing spiders to the outdoors, feeding mice, birds, and squirrels, stepping over ants, and taking in any and all strays, which seemed to include humans as well as canine and felines. She loved the ocean, planting and growing, playing bingo and slot machines, reading books, doing crosswords, but it was her love of friends and family that will forever be remembered. At any given time that her great-grandkids were over, she would be in the kitchen showing them how to make homemade cookies and sending them home with money because it was just sitting there anyways.

She is preceded in death by Ivan and Anita (parents), Ricky Simpson (sister), Roy Curtis Cockrell (son). She is survived by her children Ronald Wayne Cockrell, Ray Lee Cockrell, and Rhonda Sue Call (Cockrell) and Son-in-law Reed Alan Call, her grandchildren, RaeAnn Mitchell, Amanda and Autumn Hayes (Rays'), Wanda Sue Cockrell, Jimmy Lee Lane Jr. and his wife Kimberlie Lane, Colby Ray Sapienza and his wife Julie Sapienza, Shasta Lynn Sapienza-Fromm and her husband Daniel Fromm, Rachel Magrini, and Madison Magrini, and her great-grandchildren Alexandria and Austin Kaulitzke, Trenton Butler (Wandas), Romie Sapienza (Colbys), Brennen and Sarenity Willock, and Azalea Fromm (Shastas), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Good-bye for now mom, I love and miss you terribly, oh, and thanks for todays raindance.

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Comment author: Alicia Euresti Comment text: We are all so blessed to have Pastor Matt and Mrs. Regina in this town. They have become a major part of pur family and our children adore them. Thank you both for all you do for qll of us. We love you!!!! Comment publication date: 9/6/26, 9:24 PM Comment source: Fascinating Fernley: Meet Your Neighbors at Living Faith Food Pantry Comment author: R Conley Comment text: Is the deputy receiving any additional training or reinforcing prior training? Comment publication date: 9/5/26, 10:08 AM Comment source: Inmate escapes from Fernley substation Comment author: Kayla Allen Comment text: Suzie was a wonderful woman. I was pleased to call her my "godmother" as she helped me to become a better version of myself. I think about her a lot. Comment publication date: 7/10/26, 8:31 PM Comment source: Susanne Lynn Foster Comment author: Sheena Nash Comment text: After the trivia night is over, I would love for you to print the questions. I grew up in Fernley and would be interested to see how many answers I know. The coin is beautiful. Congrats on 25 years as a city! Comment publication date: 6/22/26, 1:38 PM Comment source: City of Fernley planning 25th anniversary celebration with three days of community events C Comment author: Carl C. Hagen Comment text: Maybe there is more to this story than what is reported, but it seems to me that the businesses that are causing this problem ought to be paying for this, or at least a major portion of it. Why does the County have to pay the whole bill? Just my opinion. Comment publication date: 5/7/26, 10:26 AM Comment source: Storey County, Tesla partner to extend I-80 Patrick on-ramp Comment author: Alan Reeder Comment text: Great guy, laughed easily, had fun with his students, enjoyed our time together at FHS! Comment publication date: 4/23/26, 10:23 PM Comment source: Howard David Jackson