Helen Smith

In answer to God's call, "Come, Come Ye Saints", she happily responded, "In Peace and Joy I Now Depart", and thus the broken circle of the Wynn Family was once again complete.

Born in Petersburg on Dec. 22, 1922, Mrs. Helen Henrietta Wynn Smith departed this earthly tabernacle on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law in Varnville, South Carolina. She was the widow of the late Charles Davis "Pluks" Smith, and was also preceded in death by her two stepsons, Charles "Pudgy" Smith, and Clarence Smith. For many decades, Helen and "Pluks" made their home at 938 Farmer Street, and at the onset of her illness, she was a resident of the Lafayette House.

Helen was the seventh of nine children born to the late Charles Henry Wynn and Anna Walker Wynn and was preceded in death by her four brothers, Charles, Richard, Robert, and James Wynn; four sisters, Mary Wynn Jackson, Mildred Wynn Richburg, Cleo Marie Wynn Bolling, and Barbara Wynn Chance, who left us this past Jan. 31.

Helen was a graduate of the D. Webster Davis High School, located on the campus of Virginia State College. She was a gifted contralto, and sang popular music during WWII with the ensemble, "The Melodears," that included schoolmates Mattie Lee Wilkerson, and the late Bernice Hill. As the Wynn's are a musical family, Helen continued to sing while furthering her education at Virginia State College under the direction of famed composer, Dr. Undine Smith Moore. Helen's harmonious alto voice was always an enhancement to the Senior Choir of the First Baptist Church, Harrison Street (then directed by her uncle), where she was baptized during her early teen years, and continued to be an active member until her illness necessitated her move to South Carolina. In addition to the First Baptist Cathedral Choir, she was a member of the Maude E. Taylor Memorial Club and the Monday Evening Bible Class.

Helen was a licensed cosmetologist and entrepreneur, and for many years served as owner and operator of Helen's Beauty Salon in Petersburg. Following her retirement, she was a loving child care provider for many pre-school children who are now successful professional adults.

Mrs. Smith was a Past Worthy Matron of the Petersburg Chapter #33, Order of the Eastern Star, and a former member of the Women's Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign War.

Mrs. Smith will be sadly and sorely missed by her loving twin sons, Robert H. Smith of Varnville, S.C., and Ronald A. Smith of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; her devoted daughter-in-law and caregiver, Yvonne Wilkins-Smith Varnville, S.C.; five granddaughters, Terri, Robbi, Charna, Tiffany, and Misty; four grandsons, Ronald Jr., Robert E., Bob Jr. and Charles-Eddie Smith; her stepdaughter, Barbara Jean Smith Baugh; three step-grandsons, Michael, Eric, and Timothy; one goddaughter, Mrs. Debra Lynn Hill Gibbs of Pennsylvania; five great-granddaughters; three great grandsons; several loving nieces and nephews; a host of grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, extended family and loving friends.

A service celebrating Mrs. Smith's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007, First Baptist Church, 236 Harrison St., Petersburg. The Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Tillman, pastor, Pastor Pernell A. Simms of Hickory Run Baptist Church, Rawlings, officiating. Mrs. Smith will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband in the Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery.

Family, friends and pallbearers are asked to assemble in the Mary M. Clarke Fellowship Room of the church at 10:30 a.m. the day of the services.

The immediate family will receive friends at the residence of Mrs. Smith's granddaughter, Mrs. Terri Smith-Shaw, 1618 Montpelier St. (Walnut Hill), on Friday, Feb. 23, until 9 p.m., and will assemble there on Saturday prior to the service at 10 AM.

We invite all family and friends to return with us following interment for repast in the C.J. Powell Fellowship Hall at the First Baptist Church.

Information regarding services may also be obtained from her nieces in Virginia at (804) 261-1775 and 261-1815, Anna Epps and Thomasine Hill, 9011 Tweed Road, Richmond, VA 23228.

Online condolences are welcomed at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mrs. Smith and view a memorial video at the establishment.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of the J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, VA, (804)732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.