A daughter of the late C. Beatrice Kerlin Stidley and J. Walter Stidley, she was born September 12, 1926 in Shenandoah County. On July 25, 1948 she married Ray E. Smith who preceded her in death on June 6, 1976.
Mrs. Smith graduated from Mt. Clinton High School in 1944, where she played on the undefeated girls’ basketball team, and retired from Rockingham Cooperative Farm Bureau in 1987. After retirement, she worked part-time for Shenandoah Valley Electric Coop for 19 years until the age of 82, when she broke her hip playing basketball with her grandchildren. She was a member of Dayton United Methodist Church, where she played the piano for many years.
Helen is lovingly remembered by two sons, Larry E. (Marilyn J.) Smith of Vienna, Jeff R. (Pam C.) Smith of Harrisonburg; a daughter, Barbara S. (James K.) Wheatley of Harrisonburg; six grandchildren, Claire and Gregory (Kirby) Smith, Steven (Lucy Baker) and Kelsey Smith, J. Tucker and Morgan Wheatley; and one sister, Bonnie Lee Stidley.
She is predeceased by her brother, James Robert “Bud” (Lew Ann) Stidley and nephew, Jay Stidley Jr.
The funeral service will be held at Dayton United Methodist Church, 215 Ashby Street, Dayton, VA 22821 on Sunday, May 5 at 3 p.m. with private burial preceding at Clover Hill Cemetery in Dayton, VA at 2 p.m. The family invites guests to a reception at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bridgewater Rescue Squad and Dayton United Methodist Church. Condolences may be shared with the family online at lindseyharrisonburg.com.
