Anita Faye Symes

Beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, and nana, Anita Faye Symes, entered the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ on June 23, 2025, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
Anita was born to Walter and Connie Southerland on August 7, 1940, in Vicksburg, Missouri. After spending some of her formative years in St. Louis, Missouri, her family moved to Caruthersville, Missouri, where she attended high school and became active in the Caruthersville Church of God. After graduation in 1958, Anita spent a few years working in her hometown as an administrative assistant. In 1961, she moved to Cleveland, Tennessee, to work at the Church of God Publishing House, which was closely affiliated with Lee College (now Lee University). It was in Cleveland that she met the love of her life, John Symes. They wed on August 11, 1962, in Cleveland and moved to Illinois soon after, where John was employed in public education. In 1972, she and John relocated their family to Tyler, Texas, where she spent the remainder of her life.
While Anita took some college courses, she made a career out of raising her two boys and making a home for their family of four. She was an excellent hostess and had a fantastic sense of style, always wanting every detail to be "just right." She was involved in many organizations over the years, including Newcomers Club of Tyler and the Salvation Army.
The most important aspect of Anita's life was her faith in Christ. Churches where she had regularly attended included Tyler Christian Fellowship, Rose Heights, New Life Worship Center, and First Baptist Flint. Regardless of where she worshiped, Anita kept her life centered on reading and obeying God's Word.
Anita is survived by her husband of almost 63 years, John Symes; her brother, Weylan Southerland of Highlandville, Missouri; her son, Jeff (Kim) of Allen, Texas; her son Anthony (Melissa) of Frisco, Texas; and five grandchildren - Sydney of Richardson, Texas, Zach (Kylie) of Farmers Branch, Texas, AJ of Frisco, Texas, Weston of Frisco, Texas and Avery of Dallas, Texas; and many nieces and nephews, all who loved her dearly.
Services for Anita will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home with Rev. Joe Canal and Zach Symes officiating. Burial will follow at Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery in Tyler. Visitation is scheduled one hour prior to service.
In honor of Anita Symes, memorials may be made to The Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701 (www.hospiceofeasttexas.org).