ESTHER L. SMITH

On Tuesday, May 15, 2018, God quietly and peacefully reclaimed his own, Mrs. Esther Lee Smith, 86, of 25707 Greensville Avenue, North Dinwiddie, Virginia at the Southside Regional Medical Center. Esther Smith was born on May 12, 1932, to the late Wyatt and Hattie Alston of Edgecombe, North Carolina, and moved to the West Petersburg Community in 1954.

Her education began in Edgecombe County and upon completion, she became employed as a housekeeper in the Tri-Cities Area for 30 plus years. Meeting her at the pearly gates will be her warm-hearted and caring beloved husband of 36 years, Albert Lee Smith, Sr.; one son, Albert Smith, Jr.; one daughter, Sherry Lynn; one grandson, Shawn Alston; three sisters, Vera Arrington, Lula Crenshaw, and Florence Brown; and five brothers, Willie, Morris, Wyatt, Frank and William Alston.

She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and was a faithful member of Trinity Baptist Church, which later became Trinity Missionary Baptist Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Rev. Jeffrey L. Dodson, Sr., Pastor. She served as a Missionary, President of the Usher Board, a member of the senior choir, President of the Helping Hands Club, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Deaconess, and a member of the Pastoral Aide Ministry.

Mrs. Esther always expressed her love for and gratitude to the Lord and enjoyed singing and sharing the gospel. She was a Co-Founder of the Harmonizing Echoes Gospel Singers as well as a member of The Fireball Gospel Singers. She was a generous, witty, and dedicated individual who loved being outdoors and was passionate about improving her community.

Mrs. Esther was a co-founder of the West Petersburg Community Council where she served as the secretary and was an advisor to Families Advocating Community Enrichment and Support, a non-profit organization. Mrs. Esther enjoyed all the things life had to offer with family and friends, including cooking, fishing, walking, gardening, traveling, yard sales, and more. Mrs. Esther loved her children and grandchildren and frequently and excitedly attended their field trips, athletic events, recitals, birthday celebrations, and family vacations.

Mrs. Esther leaves her memories to be cherished by five daughters, Betty Alston of Chesterfield, Virginia, Yolanda Smith, Charla Smith, Marjorie Smith-Walker all of North Dinwiddie, Virginia, Darlene Pryor (Anthony) of Cheltenham, Maryland; three sons, James Smith, Craig Smith of North Dinwiddie, Virginia and Daniel Smith (Brandy) of Chesterfield, Virginia; twenty-five grandchildren, Cameron Alston, Sherod Smith, Katrina Smith, Travis Pryor, Troy Pryor, Leticia Smith, Sherell Smith, Austin Smith, Michael Walker Jr., Lashawn Roberts, Shannon Trent, Devonte Taylor, Tiffany Taylor, Treyvon Peterson, Trevonte Peterson, Aleea Smith, Tyleek Johnson, Denisha Johnson, Daniel Smith, Jr., Justin Smith, Malcolm, Joshua, Marquise, Devin Moore; twelve great grandchildren, Tashaun Alston, Shantice Reese, Shawn Alston, Jr., Sherod Jr. (RJ), Rashad, Raquelle, Chanelle, Nya Reed, K'Vaughn Pope, Kymon Pope, Bryson Richardson, Messiah Taylor, and two great-great grandchildren Ja'Keriah and Ky'ren; a loving and devoted sister Susie Kemp (Bright); devoted friends, Mrs. Bettie Mayfield and Mrs. Bernice Boone; a devoted niece, Delores Hargrove; and a host of other beloved family members and friends including Leslie Crawley, Timothy Carter, Tony Harris, Cameron Drew, William Ellsworth, Rev. Jeffrey Dodson Sr., and the entire West Petersburg Community.

A special thanks to the Harrison family, Baskerville family, Bonner family, Ellis family, SRMC staff, Dinwiddie Health and Rehabilitation Center, Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Center, Entercom Media, and the Rinky Dink Cafe.

Services will be held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church of God In Christ, 233 Halifax Street, Petersburg, VA, Rev. Jeffery L. Dodson, Sr., Pastor, eulogist. Interment will follow at the Smith Family Cemetery.

The family will assemble 1:00 P.M. the day of the service at 25707 Greensville Avenue, North Dinwiddie, VA.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.