Hilda Jenell Smith

God blessed His world and the union of the late Earl and Clara Henson with arrival of Hilda Janelle Henson on January 8, 1942. On Thursday, August 28, 2003, Hilda walked into the loving and waiting arms of the Lord she loved and served with all her heart.“Hilltop”, as she was affectionately known by family and friends, was born in Baltimore, Maryland as the youngest of the eight Henson children.Hilda matriculated through the Baltimore City Public School System, graduating from Douglass Senior High School in 1959 and going on to complete the University of Maryland School of Nursing in 1961. After a year as a nurse at the University of Maryland Hospital, Hilda was joined in Holy Matrimony to McRaymond Norrington in 1962. This marriage was blessed with two sons and one daughter. Hilda’s children were her life and for the next few years her role was that of devoted mother. In later years, Hilda was briefly married to Warren Smith, Jr.Returning to the workforce in 1967, Hilda was employee by the Social Security Administration until her retirement as a Benefit Authorizer in 1998. Hilda was baptized at Greater Harvest Baptist Church where she remained a member until her passing.A lover of the “soaps’ and shopping (with a particular fondness for shoes!). Hilda’s greatest passion always remained her children. But that was certainly not where her passion stopped. Hilda had a passion for life! She gave new meaning to the word vivacious! Whenever she was in a room, she lit it up! No one will ever forget that captivating smile and her “hands on her hips” pose. She was a friend to many and loved by all that knew her.Hilda is preceded in death by her daughter Athena D. Norrington Austin (Denny) who departed this life in 1985 at the very young age of 21 after a lengthy illness and her sister, Ruth Haskins, that passed in 2001.She leaves to cherish the spirit of her love and memory, her sons, Kevin and Medrick Norrington, brothers and sisters, Delroy Henson, Morris Henson, Sr., Earl Henson, Jr., Vera Boone, Muriel Wilmore and Elmer Henson as well as a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

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Hilda Jenell Smith

January 8, 1942 - August 28, 2003