Virgeree Smith

Mother Virgeree Smith was born on April 3, 1935, in Greeleyville, South Carolina to the late Lois and Evelena Grren-Benbow. She was the second of seven children.

At the early age of eight years old, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. In 1949, at the age of fourteen, Virgeree moved to Brooklyn, New York to live with her aunt and uncle, the late Beach and Lois Johnson at 95 Hoyt Street.

In 1959, Virgeree met, and married to the love of her life, Mr. John H. Smith of Clinton, North Carolina. They started their life together at 366 Jefferson Avenue where they lived for one year when she found out she was pregnant with their first son, the late John L. Smith. The Smith family moved to 423 Hancock Street and resided there for three years. Finally, in 1964, they moved for the final time to Marcy Projects where she gave birth to their second son, Anthony E. Smith.

Virgeree loved the Lord with all her heart. In 1968, she became a member of Brooklyn Miracle Temple under the tutelage of the late Bishop Donald Kinsey. This same year, Virgeree and her husband decided to adopt their third son, Keith Smith. During Virgeree's time At Brooklyn Miracle Temple, she faithfully served in various areas of ministry. She became ordained as an Evangelist and sung praises to the Lord with the Brooklyn Miracle temple Mass Choir. In 1999, their beloved Pastor, Bishop Kinsey went on to be with the Lord. Virgeree and her family later became members of the New Life Ministries under the auspices of Bishop Linward Bush, where she became a mother of the Church.

Mother Smith was an industrious worker and began her expansive work history in Roslyn, Long Island where she worked as a Domestic worker. After her time in that position ended, she accepted a job working at Wagner Bakery. Several years later, Virgeree became a dietician at Lefferts General Hospital. In 1987, Mother Smith started working for the New York City Board of Education as a Dietician. She served in this position for thirty-six wonderful years. She was affectionately called "Mom" by all the children at public school 20 in Clinton Hill. She loved her "children" s and they loved her back.

Mother Smith loved her job. She felt this was one of her callings, which gave her much joy. She would have continued working if it wasn't for her age.

Her favorite line was "I'm a people's person". Mother Smith's love for her people was irresistible, and no one remained stranger for long. She loved people, and she always found ways to show it. When in Mother Smith's presence, you were always greeted with a beautifully warm smile that would light up a room. She was kind-hearted and loving. With that love for people, she had an enormous love for her husband and sons that could not be put into words.

She was a woman of faith and a prayer warrior. She knew the "Effectual fervent prayers of a righteous man availieth much" James 5:16. Despite whatever she went through, she believed God, and no nothing was impossible, or too hard for Him.

In November of 2024, Mother Smith suffered a fall which caused her to break her left ankle. Before this occurrence, she began experiencing knee problems that caused her to stop attending church services in person, but she did not allow this ailment to stop her from giving God praise, she listened to Sunday service via the conference call line.

After several months of continuous health problems and hospital stays, God decided to give his precious daughter rest at the age of 90, and call mother Smith, to glory on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025.

Was preceded in death by her son, John H Smith in 2018; brother, Sammie Benbow and sister, Almeta Benbow.

Mother Smith leaves to cherish precious moments; her beloved husband of 66 years, Deacon John H. Smith; two sons, Anthony Smith (Brooklyn, NY) and Keith Smith (Brooklyn, NY); two grandchildren, (Her heart) Shenek Cofield (Marvin of Brooklyn, New York and Anthony Chapman (Roselle, New Jersey); three great grandchildren, Aiden Chapman (Roselle, New Jersey), Camila and Kaia Kingston (Brooklyn, New York); four siblings, James Benbow (Troy, New York), Helen Silva (Boston, Massachusetts), Joe Louis Benbow (Greeleyville, South Carolina), and Erma Ali (Brooklyn, New York) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.