Jacqueline "Jackie" Hilliard Smith

She was predeceased by her parents, Arthur Wilmer and Pauline Jefferson Hilliard. Jackie is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, George Smith, her daughter Cindi Hoffner and husband Rocky, her granddaughters; Jennifer Perkins and husband Keith, as well as Melissa Johnson and husband David.

She is also survived by great-grandchildren; Hannah and Chelsea Johnson, Elizabeth and Paul Perkins, sister Dixie Nicholson and husband Nick, brother, Lee Hilliard and wife Linda, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Jackie was born on September 17, 1935 in Danville, Virginia where she spent the majority of her life. She graduated from George Washington High School, then from North Carolina Baptist Hospital as a Registered Nurse. While in nursing school, she met George through mutual friends and they married on September 14, 1957. They moved to Homestead, Florida, where Jackie worked as an RN, helping deliver babies, while George served as a jet engine mechanic in the Air Force. Once George was discharged, Jackie supported the family while George completed his education as a mechanical engineer at NC State University in Raleigh. Jackie then became a full-time homemaker, as they followed George’s work to Akron, OH, Gadsden, AL, New Orleans, LA, and Greensboro, NC, before resettling in Danville, VA. They spent 52 of their years together in Danville, where Jackie occasionally worked part time in a doctor’s office. She spent the last few years of her life living close to family in Mint Hill, NC, before a courageous fight with cancer led to her death.

Jackie was an avid duplicate bridge-player, earning Master’s points. She was also a better than average golfer, making 5 hole-in-ones in her lifetime. She was often the first to offer her services in arranging or providing events involving meals at church, golf events, weddings, receptions, etc. Jackie was a member of Trinity UMC, where she was famous for the mini-pizzas she made for MYF meals. She also loved to volunteer with the monthly hot-dog mission and Rise Against Hunger. Her other culinary claims to fame included blond brownies, Hungarian Kifli cookies, hard candy, and her often requested Ma Jefferson’s Almond Pound Cake, a recipe she obtained by watching her own grandmother as she made a cake. She loved nothing better than playing a myriad of card games with family, shopping for her grandchildren, and spending time with friends.

George and Cindi would like to thank the Jackie’s Hospice Care team, Christina and Andrea, for their compassionate care, which made her final year more comfortable and pleasant.

A celebration of life will be held May 30, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, 11501 Bain School Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227 with visitation afterwards. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be sent to the Helping Hands Thrift Store, 168 Arnett Blvd, Danville, VA 24540, a joint mission of Trinity UMC which was near and dear to Jackie’s heart.