Jessie A. Smith

Jessie A. Smith, 98, passed away March 10, 2026.

Jessie was born in Newark but spent most of her youth in Blackwells Mills, which is located near East Millstone. She married in 1950 and ended up living in Bridgewater for many years. Her daughter Susan made accomodations in her Somerville home for Jessie and she lived there up to the present. She was a 1946 graduate of Somerville High School. She was very well known for her homemade chocolate candies and assorted cookies. Her cooking skills were also evidenced in the many wedding cakes she produced. Jessie loved music and was the lead soprano in the East Millstone United Methodist Church. For many years after, she was choir director and organist. She wrote a cookbook in early 2000's, called "Jessie's Kitchen", with recipes from her 4-H childhood group included. Jessie will be sadly missed by all.

She is predeceased by her husband Kenneth Smith, daughter Susan Smith, and sibling Jessie Smith Allan.

Surviving is her son Kenneth Smith and his wife Mary and a brother James Allan.

Visitation will be 9:30am-11am Friday at Bruce C. VanArsdale Funeral Home, 111 N. Gaston Ave, Somerville.

Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Friday, at the East Millstone United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Repass to follow.

Donations can be made to the Somerville Rescue Squad, www.54rescue.org . To send condolences to the family, visit brucecvanarsdalefuneralhome.com.