Virginia Berneita Smith

With hearts filled with both sorrow and gratitude, we celebrate the life of Virginia Berneita Smith, affectionately known as “Mummy” and “Birdie”. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and prayer warrior. She was born to Margaret and Theophilus Dinham on the island of Jamaica, in a small town called Clifton near Askenish, in the parish of Hanover, on December 25, 1937. She peacefully transitioned on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 9:37 p.m. at Advent Health Apopka. At 88 years old, she left behind a legacy of faith, love, resilience, and devotion to her family and friends. Virginia moved from Clifton, Hanover to Kingston, where she served in the Jamaica Defense Force, as a Stenographer.

Shortly after moving there, she met our dad Hezekiah A. Smith, while he was attending Bible School to become a Pastor. They married on September 6, 1962, and moved to Falmouth, Trelawny for a short time before moving to Lucea, Hanover. She served as a Pastor’s wife and worked as an Administrative Officer at Hanover Parish Council for two decades. She retired and migrated to Orlando, Florida on August 6, 1982, with the family.

Mummy lived a life defined by prayer, service, faith, compassion, and quiet strength. She was a faithful member of "The Way Church of the Nazarene”, previously called Metro West Church of the Nazarene, for over 30 years. She served throughout those years there, enjoyed teaching Sunday School, and sang in the choir. She ministered at nursing homes, helping in the food pantry, participating in weekly prayer line calls, small groups, and more. Her enduring faith in God guided every season of her life and provided the foundation upon which she built our home and raised our family. Her trust in the Lord was evident not only in her words, but also in the way she cared for others, prayed for others, and extended grace in every way she could. At any time, you would find her sewing, knitting, crocheting or baking her delicious potato pudding.

Mummy welcomed family and friends with warmth, a beautiful smile and generosity, creating a home where everyone felt accepted. Whether through simple acts of kindness such as helping to raise a young teen into adulthood, or just comforting conversations. She demonstrated that love was best expressed through service. Even when she experienced disappointment or was treated unfairly, she chose forgiveness over resentment and compassion over anger. Her gentle spirit and gracious heart became lasting lessons for those who knew her.

Virginia was a true example of a Proverbs 31 woman, a virtuous wife, devoted mother, and mentor to many whose love knew no limits and whose sacrifices often went unseen. She worked diligently to provide opportunities for us as children, sometimes spending time away from home so we would have the necessities of life. She loved to cruise, travel and last worked for Advent Health Orlando where she retired. Our daddy, her husband Reverend Hezekiah Smith predeceased her in 2006.

Virginia leaves behind a family who will forever treasure her wisdom, encouragement, and unconditional love. Her influence extends far beyond the memories of her childhood in Clifton, Jamaica. It lives on in the values she instilled, the faith she modeled, and the countless lives she touched through her example of humility, perseverance, and grace.

She is survived by her children, Verna M. Waisome, Dahlia A. Smith, and Dr. Hezedean A. Smith, leaving behind six grandchildren, Roderick & Nicholas Waisome, Nathaniel Phenis, Racquel Hayles, Ethan Smith, Yvonnie Newby and two great granddaughters, Amara and Dusk. While our hearts grieve her physical absence, we rejoice in the assurance that she has entered the eternal presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Her life reminds us that true greatness is measured not by wealth or status, but by a personal intimate relationship with God, a heart aligned to His will, plus her love and service to others.

As we celebrate Virginia's life, a blessing from God, may we honor her by embracing the faith she cherished. Honor her for all that her hands have done and let her works bring her praise at the city gate (Proverbs 31:31 NIV).