Leander September Smith

Leander September Smith,Jr.,of 1370 New Market Road,Henrico County,Virginia departed this life on Friday,December 12, 2008. He was the second of three children born to the late Leander S. Smith,Sr. of Henrico County,Virginia and the late Edna M. Fields Smith Turpin,of Richmond, Virginia.He began his early education in the little,one-room school house just up the road from his home in Varina. He continued his education in the Richmond Public Schools systems,graduating from Armstrong High School.He and his family attended the St. James Baptist Church in Varina and after moving to Richmond,became members of Good Shepherd Baptist Church.After high school,he worked at the community grocery stores,Spaniels' and Koslows' as he had done while he attended school,to help out at home. Later,he joined the United States Air Force and after receiving a medical discharge returned to Richmond. He later was employed by the U.S. Postal Service.Upon the death of his father,ne returned to the family home in Varina to live. As his illness progressed,his mobility became more impaired and a wheel chair was needed. His younger sister,Debra,lovingly undertook the huge task of making the old house wheel chair accessible. He was able to maintain his home himself,with some assistance,for a while. A second fall made it apparent that he would need more intensive care. In 2005 he became a resident of the Nursing Home at McGuire Hunter Holmes Vetern Hospital. There he met a host of wonderful doctors,nurses,therapists and support personnel-most of whom he came to know by name.Bro,as he was known to his family,was a quiet reserved man. He loved his music,his old radio and the old piano he played. His great love was his Mama. When she died there was a void that he filled with Debra and her children,or as he called them"the girls." He was the ultimate caregiver and provider. May he rest in peace.Leander leaves to cherish his memory a brother,Mr. Howie Smith,Sr.;two sisters,Mrs. Louise Vaughan and Mrs. Deborah Jefferson;one uncle.Mr. Robert Lucky of Maryland;two aunts,Mrs. Thelma Lucky of Maryland and Louise Fields;a nephew,Howie Smith,Jr.of California;three nieces,Mrs, Pamela Burruss, Ms. Tonia Tyler and Ms. Maranda Tyler of Richmond,Brayden Smith and Elizah Smith of California;two great nieces,Ms. Alexandra Burruss of Ashland and Ms. DeAnndra Tyler of Richmond;a great,great nephew,Cameron Burruss of Ashland;a brother-in-law,Robert Jefferson; a host of other relatives and dutiful neighbors,The Biggers,Margaret and Mrs. Josephine;dutiful cousins,Mrs. Verbeana Crowley,Mr Stanley Rodgers,the Reverend Vincent Allen of Maryland and Mr. Willie B. Allen,Jr. of Maryland.

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Leander September Smith

July 29, 1943 - December 12, 2008