Mae Cosby Smith

Mae was a mother, daughter, friend, teacher, caregiver, great grandmother, great-great grandmother and so many other things. She was the fifth of the six children of Lucy Cosby and Eston Cosby.

She grew up on a working farm in Midlothian and attended Midlothian High School and Ferrum College.

Mae was kind, sometimes to a fault, taking in homeless people to feed them lunch and even giving them room and board in the apartment above her home. Did she get taken advantage of? Yes, she did,but it didn’t keep her from helping those in need.

She worked many years at Bon Air School for Girls while raising three children as a single mother. After retiring, Mae worked, part-time, at Ukrops and volunteered, in the kitchen, at FeedMore. She left when she could no longer drive, in 2019.

Mae was a dedicated member of Branch’s Baptist Church and traveled on many Mission Trips to prepare meals for the people rebuilding churches after disasters. She was dedicated to reading scriptures as often as possible.

Mae attended Circle Center Adult Day Services several times a week. She enjoyed the activities and was quite fond of the employees and volunteers.

This October 4th she would have been 100. She became ill in early June, and we thought she was going to leave us then. In keeping with her nature, she rallied and fought day after day.

Mae was preceded in death by her beloved son Robert Richard Smith (Richie) who passed at the age of 27.

She is survived by her brother Eston Cosby, her daughters Dale Hennig and Kathleen Setier, her grandchildren Jeff, Jennifer, Amanda, Jessica and Brent, as well as many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

There will be a visitation with the ashes on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Woody’s Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Rd, Richmond, VA. At a later date, there will be a Celebration of Life Ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either of these 501c3 organizations Circle Center Adult Day Services (4900 W. Marshall St., Richmond, VA 23230) or Feed More (8020 Villa Park Dr., Richmond, VA 23228).