Earlene Smith

Earlene was born in Bakersfield, California on August 18, 1934, to Harry and Vernie Robinson. She was the first of eight children. The family moved to North Richmond when she was eight years old.

She attended San Pablo Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High, Richmond High, and Contra Costa College. Earlene earned her LVN license in 1961, and her RN license in 1974, from Contra Costa Junior College. In March 1957, she was baptized at Church of Christ at 321 Alamo, in North Richmond, by the late F.F. Carson (Minister), and remained a faithful member at 1501 Florida in Richmond until she was unable to care for herself.

She was employed at Martinez County Hospital and former Brookside Hospital for 36 years. The last 21 years of her nursing career she was the PM Nursing Supervisor from 1975-1996 and was affectionately know as "Smitty". She retired September 2, 1996.

Growing up, she played softball at Reed's Park in North Richmond as a pitcher along with one of her best friend's Gilroy.

She was forever learning how to swim, because she was afraid of water, she only learned how to float in the shallow end of the swimming pool.

Earlene enjoyed working in the yard, ordering books from different talk shows and reading the flaps on the covers of the books, saying that she didn't need to read the entire book, because the flaps told her everything she needed to know about the book.

She liked to watch travel channels to learn about other countries and cultures, because she liked staying close to the bay area and was afraid of flying.

She enjoyed cooking, drawing, decorating, and making her favorite dessert, peach cobbler. She also enjoyed talking to her grandchildren, sharing stories, and passing on her wisdom from her life experiences.

She had a love for old cars and restored her black 1973 Eldorado Cadillac called "scruples" with new black paint, gangster whitewalls tires, and chrome spokes.

Earlene will surely be missed but never forgotten.

Earlene is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Vernie Robinson, Marvin Dale Smith (Husband), two brothers Harry Lee (Fox) and Herman Ray, and two sisters, Clydia Mae and Jonnie Frank, and her beloved pet dog, Possum. Earlene leaves behind her son, Steven Earl (Cynthia), sister, Mae Alma, two brothers, Vernon and Cornell.

Six grandchildren, Steven Earl Jr (Eryn), Libra Elizabeth (Herb), Erin Dale (Carmela), Rayne Eugenia (Jennifer), Adrian, and Christopher.

Fourteen great-grandchildren: Devante, Trea, Kiara, Brandon, Baylei, Elijah, Todd, Lyric, Naomi, Ava, Jacob, identical twins Tristan and Caden, and Elyse.

Seven great-great-grandchildren: Jeremiah, Caleb, Jade, Ezekiel, Aziel, Tru, and Leah and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, and Church of Christ Family.

Acknowledgements

During our time of bereavement, Earlene's family would like to extend their heartfelt love and appreciation for your cards, text messages, flowers, support, gifts, words of encouragement, and prayers. It has meant a great deal to the family, and we are forever grateful. Thank You!