| Notes |
- Mildred M. Smith, 89, of 15 Spruce St., went to be with her Lord Friday (July 24, 2009) at the Wellsville Manor Care Center following a long illness.
Born Nov. 19, 1919, in Hartsville, she was the daughter of Clarence L. and Lida Woodworth Payne. On April 30, 1946, at the former South Side Baptist Church in Hornell, she married Wilfred Claude Smith, who died on June 6, 2001.
Mildred graduated from Canisteo Central School, Class of 1939, the first class in the new building, which succeeded the Canisteo Academy. In 1940, she graduated from the former Federal Commercial School of Hornell. She was employed from June 1940 until her marriage at the local YMCA., as the office secretary. From time to time throughout her life, she worked as a part-time home typist, the longest such employment being one day a week for 20 years for the Credit Bureau of Hornell. She was also an experienced mimeographer, perhaps the last in the area. She was baptized and joined the South Side Baptist Church in 1941 and continued as a member of the Hillside Baptist Church when the Church changed its name and moved outside the city. She served as church clerk from 1946-1976, served with her husband as youth advisors from 1952-1977. taught Sunday school and release time classes, was a choir member for many years, played piano for various church activities and served as a volunteer secretary to the Rev. Robert Newman during his six-year ministry at Hillside. She was secretary of the Ladies' Missionary Fellowship for six years and president for eight years.
A poet from high school days and writer of various-type articles, she attended local writers? workshops under the direction of Beatrice O'Brien. She was active in the local Writer's Round Table and has been published in various papers: "Wind in the Night Sky," a national poetry anthology; "The Baptist Bulletin;" and a variety of Sunday School papers. She also authored the book, "God's Faithful Servant" at age 85.
She was predeceased by her parents and husband; two older sisters who died as babies, Elizabeth and Carrie; and her sister, Bessie L (Thurston) Granger, who died recently; two brothers, Charles, who on Christmas morning in 1920 died when Mildred was only 13 months old, left for his first Christmas in heaven; and Clarence Alson Payne who died earlier this year. Seven infant grandchildren also preceded their grandmother to heaven.
She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Arlyn L. and Marilyn J. Smith of Wellsville; four grandsons, Johathan (Shannan) Smith of Pittsford, Brian Smith with the U.S. Navy, and Nicholas and Matthew Smith, both at home; one granddaughter, Amanda, at home; one brother, Grover (Rita) Payne of Blasdell; one sister, Ruth Meacham of Wellsville; and one sister-in-law, Jeanetta Whitney of Wichita, Kan.; and nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family will be present to receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 Tuesday at the Bender - Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo St., Hornell. Funeral services will take place at the Hillside Baptist Church 11 a.m. Wednesday with Rev. George Bailey officiating. Burial will be in Arkport Cemetery.
|
1919 - 2009 (89 years)
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set