Helen W. Smith

Helen Willingham Smith, age 90, of Newberry passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday evening, July 1st, 2021.

Helen was born on August 21st, 1930 to Ambrous Olin Willingham Sr. and Alda Miller Willingham. She married Belton Cleo “Smitty” Smith on August 19th, 1950. Helen was loved, admired, and treasured by so many that knew her. Her greatest joy in life was her family. She dearly loved her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Helen loved working in her yard and with her flowers, which were admired by many. She was an excellent seamstress, she loved sewing in front of her picture window, while enjoying the beautiful sunshine. Helen loved to bake and cook, and she welcomed everyone into her kitchen. She always had something for you to eat, mostly her delicious cakes, cookies, homemade chicken and dumplings, and soup and cornbread. Helen always thought of others first, she had a passion for helping and doing for others. She truly loved helping her family and friends. After her husband, Smitty, had a stroke she lovingly took excellent care of him for 15 years. Helen kept many of her grandchildren and great grandchildren over the years, all of which brought her much happiness.

Helen is survived by her two daughters, Debra S. (Duane) Cook of Newberry, and Pam S. (Phillip) Cook of Prosperity, her grandchildren, Debra (Billye) West, Hope (Nathan) Mann, Casey (Jolene) Smith, Amanda (Jimmy) Lindler, Jessie (Jill) Smith, and Brad (Katherine) Cook, her great grandchildren, Bret (Steven) Price, Josie West, Jade Smith, Landen Lindler, Eli Smith, Aspen Lindler, Izac Smith, Jetson Smith, Ivy Cook, Rowen Lindler, and Axl Cook and her granddog, Benji. She is also survived by her sister Myra Berley and sister-in-law Marilyn Willingham. Helen is predeceased by her husband Belton “Smitty” Smith, her son, Steven R. Smith, her brothers, Olin Willingham, Earl Willingham, John Willingham, and Ted Willingham, her sisters, Ruth Yon, Mary Cook, Joy Thomas, and Ann Willingham.

Funeral services will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, where Helen was a long time member. The service will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, July 3rd, 2021 by the Reverend Bill Stone. Burial will follow at Newberry Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will follow at the graveside. Memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, 1505 Wilson Road, Newberry, SC 29108.

Active pallbearers will be Brad Cook, Casey Smith, Jessie Smith, Jimmy Lindler, Nathan Mann, and Billye West III.