Helen G. Smith

Helen G. Smith Helen America Gregory Smith of Pulaski died Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, at her home. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Pulaski with the Rev. Jeff Kackley officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery at Pulaski. She was born June 24, 1924, daughter of the late James Harrison and Lula Alice Howlett Gregory. A 1943 graduate of Pulaski High School, she was a lifelong advocate and supporter of higher education. She received her AA degree with honors in the early 1970s at New River Community College where she later established the Helen G. Smith Scholarship Fund for deserving young women. She was a member of the Sunset Hills Garden Club where she served as president and earned the title of Nationally Accredited Flower Show Judge of the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs. She also was a member of the Count Pulaski Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution as well as several local Bridge clubs. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Pulaski for more than 60 years. In addition to her dedication to higher education, her passion was world travel and seeing as much of the world as she could during her lifetime. But she had no greater passion than the devotion to her husband, Carl, and her three boys. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl A. Smith Sr.; and a granddaughter, Caroline Porter Smith. Survivors include her sons and their wives, Carl Smith Jr. and Sharon of Richmond, Jerry Gregory Smith and Betsy of Marietta, Ga., William J. Smith and Farron of Wytheville; a brother, William Anderson Gregory; grandchildren, Sean K. Cullinan, Kevin T. Smith, Staci S. Ball, Kelly S. Trimble, G. Harrison Smith, William J. Smith II and Casey W. Smith; eight great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and many close friends and church family. Her final wishes expressed her desire for a quiet and modest marking of her passing. In lieu of flowers, suggested donations may be made to the Helen G. Smith Scholarship Fund at New River Community College, First Presbyterian Church of Pulaski or the charity of choice. Stevens Funeral Home in Pulaski is in charge of the arrangements.