Audrey Leake Smith

She was born on October 22, 1922 in Harrisonburg and was the oldest of five children and the only daughter of the late Ellis and Keziah Lloyd Leake.

Audrey graduated from Harrisonburg High School at the age of 16 and her first job was the secretary to the Harrisonburg City Manager; she had worked since young adulthood as a well-respected legal secretary who worked for several attorneys in Harrisonburg.

Prior to WWII she married, Victor John Smith. After he shipped off for a five year stint overseas, the couple went through three years in which they never saw one another. Audrey said her faith in God sustained her during those difficult years.

While her husband was away fighting overseas during WWII she purchased their house all on her own. This home is the present “Smith House” (Arts Council of the Valley) on South Main St., which was physically moved from South Liberty Street to its present location in 2005.

Audrey loved James Madison University. Her mother, Keziah, studied there to become a teacher when it was still known as the Virginia State Normal School. She held season tickets to football, men’s and women’s basketball, plus attended numerous performances and served on many Boards and committees there, including the President’s Council, Duke Club and Greater Madison. She loved the JMU Marching Royal Dukes and traveled with them on overseas trips to Monaco and Athens, Greece.

She also traveled the world with many friends and family members.

Audrey was dedicated to many organizations, including, First Presbyterian Church of Harrisonburg, where she taught Sunday school, served as a deacon and one of the church’s first female ruling elders in the 1970s and was Clerk of Session, and on numerous boards and committees. She was a member of the Democratic Party; a founding member of the Pilot Club of Harrisonburg, and served as President and held many regional and state offices, including Governor of the Virginia District. Through Pilot, Audrey was involved with Friendship Industries, The ARC and Camp Still Meadows. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, where she served as Worthy Matron; and Spotswood Country Club.

In November 2014, she was proud recipient of the Association of Fund-Raising Association’s Spirit of Philanthropy Award on National Philanthropy Day which honored not just the giving of her time, talents and treasure but the spirit behind it.

Audrey was able to go to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA on Memorial Day 2015 to witness a brick-laying ceremony honoring her late husband and had twice visited the Normandy D-Day beaches.

She loved the Christmas holidays and hosted many parties for organizations she belonged to and was a friend to all.

Audrey managed to cook family dinners every Saturday and Sunday for many years and rarely used a recipe! She always made the favorite meal of her family members on their birthdays. She gave freely of her time, talents and money in many ways. She enjoyed playing in numerous bridge groups.

Along with her sons, she established a scholarship at Shenandoah University, which husband, Victor, attended while it was still located in Dayton, VA.

She hosted several college students throughout the years, including a special niece, Edie Douglas Sazama.

Audrey was tenacious, smart, spirited, funny, full of energy and zest; never met a stranger!! Fiercely loyal to her family and friends and courageous in the face of adversity.

On November 7, 1940 she married Victor John Smith, who preceded her in death on November 8, 1987.

She is survived by her sons, Victor John Smith, II and his wife, Cheri, and David Lloyd Smith all of Harrisonburg; a granddaughter, Jennifer Elizabeth Smith of Harrisonburg; brothers, John G. Leake and his wife, Rosalie, William Thomas Leake and Robert E. Leake all of Harrisonburg; nephews, John G. Leake, Jr. of Louisville, KY, Joseph K. Leake of Weyers Cave, Daniel Leake and William T. Leake, II both of Harrisonburg; a niece, Anne Leake Turner of Harrisonburg; great-nephew, Ian Draper Frazier of New York, NY; and numerous relatives from the Leake, Lloyd and Smith families.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Charles E. Leake.

The family will receive friends 6-8:00 pm, Sunday, August 30, 2015 at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg. Order of the Eastern Star Service will be held at 6:00 pm.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, August 31, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg with Dr. John Heeringa officiating. Private burial will be held earlier in the day.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Pilot Club of Harrisonburg, P. O. Box 1748, Harrisonburg, VA, 22803 or Friendship Industries, 801 Friendship Dr., Harrisonburg, VA 22802; or a charity of one’s choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.com