Virginia Bishop Smith

Virginia Bishop Smith, 104, of Colonial Heights, departed this life peacefully, to join her heavenly family and friends in a joyous reunion, on Monday, June 8, 2009.

She was born June 19, 1904, in Prince George County to the late Clarence Benjamin and Nettie Warthan Bishop. She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Robert Dudley Smith "Smitty" of Colonial Heights; two brothers, Robert E. Lee Bishop of Prince George and Merton "Buck" Bishop of Colonial Heights; four sisters, Pauline Hargrave of Colonial Heights, Mildred Scarborough of Disputanta, Va., Hilda Mayes of Raleigh, N.C., Adelaide Angel of Heathsville, Va. After the sale of the family sawmill in Prince George, the family moved and settled in Colonial Heights, Va., in 1919, where she remained until her passing. She worked in Richmond before returning to home to Colonial Heights. She was a homemaker and property manager until she turned 100 years old. She was a life long active member of Immanuel Baptist Church since 1935. She taught the Ladies Sunday school class for 45 consecutive years. Many thanks to her niece, Carolyn H. Bentley, as caregiver for the last years of her life.

She is survived by her sister, Christine Loughridge of Jacksonville, Fla.; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-great-nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2009, in the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, with the Rev. David Prather officiating. Burial will follow in Southlawn Memorial Park, Prince George, Va. The family will receive friends one hour before the service. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.