of Searcy, AR
October 3, 1950 - September 27, 2024
Wendy Lee Van Winkle passed away peacefully on September 27, 2024, less than a week shy of her 74th birthday.
The longtime resident of Searcy was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Junior, a former officer with the Searcy Police Department, on Oct 6, 2020.
Wendy was born in San Francisco, California on October 3, 1950 to Ruth and Francis Smollen. Ruth currently lives in Northern California.
Wendy grew up in Santa Rosa, California, where she met and married Carl. Carl was in the Air Force and the couple moved often, including living in the Philippines. They later settled in Arkansas, where Wendy raised her family and worked in childcare. They were married for 49 years.
An avid reader, Wendy loved to visit her mother and sisters in California almost every year. She loved teddy bears and Disneyland, cherished friendships and family and looked forward to Christmas, her favorite time of the year.
In addition to her mother, Wendy is survived by her three children and in-laws: Dawn Morgan and her husband, Mark, Joshua Van Winkle and his wife, Maki and Misty Baker and her husband, Brian. She has six grandchildren, Raven, Tyler, Evan, Felicia, Kortni and Bayley; two great-grandchildren, Marley and Easton and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is also survived by four sisters, Kim Darnell, Gail Maxwell, Sandy Mansfield and Robin Kyse and two brothers, Craig Peters and Neal Peters.
Visitation and services will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, October 5th at Roller-Daniel Funeral Home, 411 East Race Ave, Searcy.
Wendy was a good friend, we took a few trips to Branson together and went to two Reba concerts together. We always had a great time. I will miss her
To know Wendy and the family was a special thing. Growing up in school with Josh, Dawn & Misty , I was not just a friend to meet Wendy you became part of the family. I have so many memories with the family. Wendy is a great lady and will missed by many
Wendy was a very dear & special friend She had such a giving & thoughtful heart We enjoyed many many adventures together With lots of laughs I knew I could always count on her if I needed a shoulder to lean on Even now as I write this I want to text her and say “hey want to run to Branson this weekend or let’s have lunch, get our nails done & go look around shoetique & Hobby Lobby then finish up with a tropical smoothie (mango magic) I love you & will miss you I’m so blessed to have called you…….MY FRIEND