Anita Lynn Hendricks

Anita Lynn Hendricks, born Anita Lynn Smith on December 2, 1958, in Billings, Montana, passed away on February 27, 2026, at her home in Meridian, Idaho. Anita was raised in Boise, Idaho, attended Capital High School, and built a life deeply rooted in family, long-time friendships, and quiet strength. She showed up, worked hard, and loved her people well.

Anita bought her first home in a close-knit southwest Boise neighborhood, where she raised her three children and made lifelong friendships. She always did what was needed to care for her family, working for several years at Elmer’s Restaurant before later managing Maverik convenience stores, where she retired after more than 20 years.

Anita wanted to be remembered for what mattered most to her: the love she had for her family (including the friends who became family), raising her children, and watching her grandchildren grow. She loved making memories—backyard camping with the grand kids, snowmobile trips, poolside barbecues and cocktails, summer concerts, girls’ trips, traveling, and proudly cheering on her grandsons when they raised steers and showed them at the fair.

Kind and sincere, Anita never needed the spotlight and was happiest when the people she loved were doing well. She had a way of making others feel noticed, and she found joy in simple things like gardening, dragonflies, antique shopping, and collecting heart-shaped rocks.

Anita was a woman of faith who cherished God’s grace and mercy. Her favorite Bible verse was Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you…” In her own words, she wanted her children and grandchildren to know how deeply she loved them, and to remember her advice: Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

She would tell you that she’ll be watching from above, still drawing happiness from the people she loved most. So, live a good and decent life, take the trips, see the shows, go to the concerts—and most importantly, love one another as you keep her memory close.

Anita was preceded in death by her grandmother, Virginia Smith; her mother, Beverly Gross; her stepfather, Jim Gross; her father, Rocky Smith; and her son, Robert Elam.

She is survived by her children, Michelle Elam and Danielle Hall (Jeff); her grandchildren, Jaiden Darr, Zachary Darr, Alex Hall, Ashton Hall, and Kingston Elam; her sister, Sharon Vandermeer; her brother, Ronald Smith; her nephew Steve Vandermeer (Tanya); and her niece, Nikki Wright (Dan).

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, March 30, 2026 at Bowman Funeral Parlor, 10254 W. Carlton Bay Dr., Garden City, Idaho.  A graveside service will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery,  9600 Hill Rd., Boise, Idaho. 

Services are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor, Garden City. 208-853-3131