Henrietta Chapman Gwaltney

Henrietta Chapman Gwaltney, daughter of Julius Darden Gwaltney, and Henrietta Chapman Gwaltney, of Smithfield, Virginia, died January 17, 2025 in Princeton, NJ. Ms. Gwaltney was born and raised in Smithfield, married (1958-1971) William Luter Christian, also from Smithfield, later moved to New York where she lived for 60 years. She was a graduate of Randolph Macon Women’s College and Adelphi University graduating with a Masters in Social Work. She worked in the field of Social Work at Long Island Jewish Hillside Medical Center, and private practice for 50 years. After her sister Florelle’s death in 2002, Henrietta developed Florelle’s Ohana, in Hawaii to facilitate research in eating disorders. In her later years she became active in ELS programs and volunteered to teach immigrants English in order to become self-sustaining. She was a life-long learner, especially in the area of the arts, and had a passion for traveling the world.

Henrietta is survived by her daughter, Christine Christian Bearden of Lumberville, PA and her son, Keith Gwaltney Christian of Bernardsville, NJ, six grandchildren, Katherine Bearden Knight, Steven Bearden, William Bearden, Caroline Bearden Ontiveros, Cole Christian, and Hanna Christian, three great grandchildren, Christian Ontiveros, Charlotte Bearden, McKinney Knight.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 11:00 am, at Ivy Hill Cemetery, 451 North Church Street, Smithfield, VA 23430. In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at www.michaeljfox.org

Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com