Remembering…..

Emma Dunn Smith

Emma Smith, 83 years of age, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2023 at Sentara Obici
Hospital. Emma was born June 29, 1940 in Louisburg, NC, to the late Napolean Dunn, Sr. and Lillie Mae
Johnson. Emma professed her life to Christ at an early age and joined New Hope Baptist Church shortly
after moving to Virginia in 1958. She loved working in the church and she was a member of the Jr/Sr
Missionaries, Happy Am I, Nurse’s Ministry, Sunday School Ministry, Vacation Bible School, Busy Bees
and Lott Curay. She was a very smart and dedicated student. She graduated valedictorian from
Gethsemane High School on May 23, 1958 and earned a Degree in Nursing from Norfolk State University
in 1961. She was a dedicated caregiver and she cared for her patients, numerous family members and
the community. Emma was a foster parent and an adult provider, where she affectionately earned the
name “Big Mama.” She did not know any strangers. She was always available to help anyone in need.
Emma retired from Portsmouth Naval Hospital after working many long hours in the Intensive Care
Nursery and the Pediatric unit were she ministered to and cared for many young patients and their
families. Emma was a member of many social organizations including the Eastern Star which she was a
past matron and a 50 year member. She was also a member of numerous nursing organizations.
In Emma’s lifetime, she had many roles. She was a dedicated wife, loving mother, dedicated
grandmother, supporting sister, doting aunt, fun loving cousin and a dependable friend. She was
predeceased by her parents, her loving stepmother, Octavia Dunn; her husband, the love of her life,
Ernest Smith, Sr; 3 brothers, Thomas Long (Patricia), Purvis Micheal Dunn, Sr (Lucy), and Napolean Dunn,
Jr (Joyce); 1 granddaughter, Sparkle Morrisett. She leaves to cherish her memories, 4 daughters,
Sandoval Morrisett Whitehurst, Kimberly Fullilove, Joye Williams (Clifton) and Mitzivilla Morriset all of
Portsmouth, VA; 1 foster daughter, whom she loved as her own child, Sharon Kitt of Suffolk, VA; 5
brothers, Walter Samuel Dunn (Alice) of Spring Hope, NC, James Alfred Dunn, Sr (Hester) of Fort
Washington, MD, Roscoe Dale Dunn (Lelia) of Middlesex, NC, Julius Leo Dunn (Beatrice) of Spring Hope,
NC, Kenneth Dexter Dunn, Sr of Middlesex, NC; 2 sisters, Mary Sandra Dunn of Bunn, NC and Linda Dunn
Freeman of Rocky Mount, NC; 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and a host of devoted nieces,
nephews, cousins and friends. A funeral service will be held 11am, Thursday, September 21, 2023 at New Hope Baptist Church,
1317 Gust Lane, Chesapeake, VA 23323. Interment following the service will be at Albert G. Horton Jr.
Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Rd, Suffolk, VA 23434. The family will assemble 10AM,
Thursday, September 21, 2023, at the home, 5516 Briarwood Lane, Portsmouth, VA 23703. Corprew
Funeral Home, 1822 Portsmouth Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23704
The family would like to express our sincere thanks for all the wonderful help and prayers given during the illness and passing of our loved one.