Jerline Alston Smith

No farewell words were spoken,no time to say goodbye. Jerline Alston Smith suddendly and quietly answered the Master's call and went to her hevenly home on Thursday,November 12,2009. She was born on May 22, 1940 in Warrenton,North Carolina. She was the third born to the late Thomas and Permelia Alston. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles W. Smith and brothers James E. and George C. Alston.At the age of 12,Jerline gave her life to Christ and joined the Greenwood Baptist Church. She continued her Christian journey as a faithful member of New Cannon Pentecostal Church and later moved her membership to Richmond Christian Center under the pastorate of Dr. Steve Parson.Jerline was educated in the Warren County public school system and graduated from John R. Hawkins High School in June 1958. Shortly after graduation,she relocated to Richmond, Virginia and began her career by accepting employment at The Virginia Home. She worked as a tray and salad technician for five years.In June 1963,she married Charles W.Smith and to this union,Charles Edward Smith was born.While employed at The Virginia Home on split shifts,she would volunteer in the laundry and nursing departments. She enjoyed interacting with the residents and would plan parties and much more. Jerline knew this was her career calling so she continued her education by taking dietician correspondence courses. She was promoted to Dietician Supervisor and was elected Dietary Manager of the State of Virginia. Her job affored her the opportunity to travel and represent the State of Virginia to carry the Flag of Dietary Mangagers to Las Vegas,Nevada.Jerline retired from The Virginia Home after 43 years of service as a dietician supervisor. She always enjoyed working and also worked part-time at 7-11(Forest Hill Avenue) for 25 years and was awarded the President's Award for 25 years if service. Because of her caring and loving manner,she also worked private duty for elderly clients.Regardless of how busy her work schedule was, Jerline remembered the fifth commandment and honored her mother. She helped to plan an appreciation service for her mother and faithfully took turns with her siblings to care for her ill mother for ten years.Family was very important to Jerline. She was a devoted mother,grandmother,sister and aunt. Jerline never forgot the southern hospitality she learned growing up. She would cook and feed anyone who visited her. In her spare time,she loved catering,traveling,gardening,decorating and making flower arrangements for various churches and organizations.She leaves a legacy of love and memories to her devoted son,Charles E. Smith,Sr.(Anita),three grandchildren;Charles Smith,Jr.,Chrishawna Cotman and Lanisha Bell;three great-grandchildren;three loving and devoted sisters;Mary Elliott,Eva Brown(Dwight)of Warrenton,NC and Romelia Alston of Richmond;five brothers,Thomas,Roy(Maxine)and Joseph(Barbara)Alston of Warrenton,NC,Leward Alston of Richmond and Lee A.(Louise)Alston of Washington,DC., one devoted sister-in-law,Gladys Alston of Richmond,six aunts;Estelle Harden(Edison) and Fannie Jones of Philadelphia,PA,Oliver Carter of New York,Sadie Jones(Douglas) and Mary Lee Coleman of Warrenton,NC and Candice Steverson of Elon,NC. and a host of nieces,among them devoted niece,Trudy Hargrove of Warrenton,NC,nephews,cousins,other relatives and friends who loved her dearly.

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Jerline Alston Smith

May 22, 1940 - November 12, 2009