Ms. Vivian Smith

Vivian Smith of Clayton, New Jersey, passed away on July 19, 2019, at home. Vivian was born on March 18, 1945, in the city of Wilmington, North Carolina, to the late James Elmer Smith and Mary Emma Smith.

Vivian, also known as “Tookie”, was the second of nine children. She received her diploma from the Brunswick County Training School. Shortly after graduating, she moved to New York for a short time. She later settled with her family in Bridgeton, New Jersey. While in Jersey, she worked as a foreman at Betchel Company, and also as a Cottage Counselor for Vineland State School. Later, she began to work as a foster parent, and helped care for and guide the lives of many children.

Vivian treasured spending time with her family whenever she could. She loved to cook for her children and watching movies with her grandchildren. When Vivian wasn’t taking care of children and her family, she enjoyed watch many sports teams play like the Philadelphia Eagles and the 76ers, watching westerns, working on crossword puzzles, and shopping on QVC. She had a green thumb and enjoyed growing flowers. Vivian loved the Lord, reading the Bible, singing gospel music, and attending her church, St. Matthews Baptist Church, in Williamstown, New Jersey, when she could.

Vivian was reunited with her parents, James and Mary Smith, and her siblings, Gerthel Graham, Geneva Hargrove (James), Anna Davis, and Dennis Smith. Vivian leaves to cherish: her sisters, Betty Jones (Fred, deceased) and Deborah Smith, both of NC, and Gwendolyn Smith of Brooklyn, NY; her bother, Elmon Smith of NC; her children, Grady Smith (Michelle) of Virginia Beach, VA, Emil Gonzalez of Bridgeton, NJ, Dwayne Smith (LaFaun) of Joppa, MD, Ina Brown Earl (Kelly) of Philadelphia, PA, Deltraye Smith of Deptford, NJ, and Tasha Smith of Bridgeton, NJ; her grandchildren, Iyana Brown, Maya Smith, Grayson Smith, Mariyia DiBenedetto, Saniya Earl, Imani Danielle Jones, Jade Jones, Aiden Steward, and Hunter Smith; a dear friend, Debbie Simpson; along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Vivian loved all her children and grandchildren, and she will forever be in our hearts and the hearts of all the people she has touched. - Humbly Submitted by the Family.

Online condolences may be made to www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, NC.

God looked around His garden and found an empty space.

Then He looked down upon this earth and saw your tired face.

He put His arms around you and lifted you to rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best.

May you always walk in sunshine and God’s love around you flow,

For the happiness you gave us, no one will ever know.

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.

A part of us went with you, the day God called you home.

A million times we’ve cried, a million times we needed you.

If love could only have saved you, you never would have died.

The Lord be with you and may you rest in peace.

Come With Me

God saw her getting tired; a cure was not to be.

He wrapped her in His loving arms and whispered, “Come with Me.”

She suffered much in silence, her spirit did not bend.

She faced her pain with courage, until the very end.

She tried so hard to stay with us, but her fight was not in vain,

God took her to His loving home, and freed her from the pain.

May You Always Walk in Sunshine.

~ Love, The Children