of Searcy, AR

March 10, 1948 - April 8, 2024

Gwendelin Scudder Anderson, 76, of Searcy, AR went to be with her Lord and Savior, her husband of over 50 years and her own beloved mother on April 8, 2024. She was born in Newport, AR on March 10, 1948 to William and Maxie Scudder.

Gwen is survived by her daughter, Rachael Anderson Jones; granddaughter, Mercedes Victoria Maxine Anderson; granddaughter, Bailey Alexandria Gwendelin Jones; grandson, Carter Riley Jones; her brother, Frank Scudder (Vicki); her brother, Sidney Scudder (Margaret); her sister, Regina Hudson; her brother, Barney Scudder (Sharon); her sister, Ellen Scudder; her cherished in-laws, nieces, nephews, aunt, cousins and great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby; her parents and her brother, Jim Scudder.

Gwen was known for her strength, generosity, sweet spirit, dedication to family and most of all, her devotion to her Lord. She was an extremely hard worker who overcame many struggles in life by her unshakeable faith and optimism.

As a young girl, Gwen helped raise her younger siblings while her own mother was out working trying to feed a large family in poverty-stricken, rural Arkansas during the post-WWII era. Her family was so poor that Gwen had to clean the school cafeteria in exchange for trade-out of her lunches. She went without common necessities many times to help her mother ensure that her younger siblings had all they needed for school. Yet she had no complaints because that was just in her heart to do. Her hard work continued throughout life and she went from picking strawberries in Arkansas fields to becoming the Vice-President of First Security Bank and the head of their mortgage company. She retired after over 35 years of loyal service.

As a child, her life, her mother's life and her brother's life were all changed when Jerry and Fern Hill began preaching at a local small church and went door to door inviting all the town residents to join them at church. Gwen, her mother and her brother all became Christians and remained so the rest of their lives, Gwen worshipping at College Church of Christ in Searcy. One of Fern's favorite stories to tell was how she'd come over to Gwen's house and find her, as a small 9-year-old child, holding Sunday School classes in the back yard for her younger brothers and sisters, teaching them about Jesus and Jonah and the whale….at 9 years old. Jerry and Fern later created the Timothy Hill Ranch for disadvantaged youth in honor of the deceased son. Gwen remained faithful to this project and donated not only financially, but with her time and her love to the Ranch up until her death.

As a young adult, Gwen attended Harding College. She also worked for the FBI in Washington DC as a fingerprint specialist where she met her future husband, Bobby, while he was working at Walter Reed Hospital.

Gwen had a beautiful high soprano voice and taught herself to play the autoharp. She passed down her love of music and singing to her child and grandchildren and loved nothing more than hearing them harmonize with her.

Her grandchildren were her whole world. She loved being Nana more than any other title or role she held. But her love of children didn't just stop at her family. She and Bob fostered 17 children in their 50-year marriage. She extended her enormous love to her many nieces, nephews, great-nephews and great-nieces. Everyone loved Aunt Gwen as the matriarch of the family once her own mother passed. She loved entertaining her large family on holidays and felt there was always room for more, which she lived out in action by often inviting those who did not have families of their own.

If you knew Gwen, you knew how she loved her gardens; all kinds plants, herbs, vegetables and especially her flowers. She could talk for hours about the different gardening ''blessings'' the Lord gave us to enjoy on earth. She didn't see it as a hobby; she strongly believed it was her way to commune with the Lord. She would spend hours and hours just walking around her garden praying to her Jesus and meditating on his blessings.

Gwen was a pillar of strength. She had the emotional and mental fortitude of a hero and was admired by all her family and friends as being a rock they could always count on. She made it a mission to be generous and kind to all whose paths she crossed. She would buy several copies of her favorite Christian book (outside the Bible) so she could give them out to anyone she thought could use some encouragement.

Her beautiful smile lit up the room and she shared it often. Her sweetness was unmatched. She will be missed tremendously by all who knew and loved her. But those who knew her are confident she's at home with her God in His heavens now, and that He joyously greeted her with ''Well done, my good and faithful servant ''.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Daniel Funeral Home
411 East Race Avenue
Searcy, AR  72145
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com