Helena Wallace Smith passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.  She was born on August 18, 1919 in Charlottesville, Virginia to Hudson Wallace and Alberta Johnson.

Mrs. Smith accepted the Lord at an early age and for more than 60 years  and was an active member of Noble Street Baptist Church of which she held leadership roles in numerous ministries.  She was the last surviving member of the original Deaconess Board.  In addition, she was an active member of The Cottage Prayer Band, Sunday School and the Noon-Day Prayer Group.  When able, she visited the sick and shut-in of the church.

In October 2015, she was one of two honorees from Noble Street at the 23rd Annual Mary Agnes Jordan Scholarship Honoree Luncheon.  This prestigious event awarded 5 scholarships to graduating high school seniors.

She was not only active at Noble Street, but she was also a very caring neighbor in Mount Hermon.  She often provided support to bereaved families by collecting donations from the surrounding neighbors for flowers or monetary gifts. She was also an active participant in the Joseph E. Parker Civic League where they often met to discuss how to improve the neighborhood.

Her favorite scripture was Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and she truly lived her life trusting God to enable her to do everything and supply all her needs.

Helena Smith was an excellent cook and one of her favorite pastimes was gourmet cooking.  She would often try new recipes from the cooking channel and even make up some of her own. She was also known for being very fashion-savvy.  Hats were a staple in her wardrobe and she wore them well.  But what she enjoyed most of all was getting together with family.  Family meant the world to her and she never hesitated to let them know how much she loved them.

Mrs. Smith was a homemaker for over 70 years and was preceded in death by her husband, James G. Smith, Sr. and her only sister, Jeanette Holmes.  She is survived by 4 children, James G. Smith, Jr. (Marilyn); Veronical Flood (Henry), David E. Smith (Vanessa) and Teresa R. Morgan (Charles).  She also has 3 nieces, Delores Robertson, Aleta Grandison and Lorraine Holmes Goodman; 14 grandchildren, numerous great and great-great grandchildren and a host of other loving family members and friends.

A viewing will held on Monday, February 12, 2018 at Corprew Funeral Home from 12 Noon to 8 pm and the family will also receive friends from 6 pm to 8 pm. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 11 am at Noble Street Baptist Church, 100 Noble Street, Portsmouth, VA.  Interment will be in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Portsmouth, VA.