1944
Donna
2023
Donna Ake Smith
March 28, 1944 — August 8, 2023
Donna Drake Smith, 79, of Chesterfield, Virginia, went home to be with the Lord on August 8, 2023, surrounded by her family.
Donna was born on March 28, 1944, in Hopewell, Virginia. She graduated from Hopewell High School in 1962, and Mary Washington College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1966.
She taught elementary music in Chesapeake, Virginia, and then in York County, Virginia, at Magruder Elementary School and Waller Mill Elementary School. She retired after 30 years of teaching. She helped countless children develop an appreciation for music and the arts.
Donna met the love of her life, James "Jim" Brown Smith, Jr., of Grimesland, North Carolina, while teaching in Chesapeake. They married on August 12, 1967, and celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2017. Together, they had three children: Caryn, James, and Sarah. Donna loved spending time with family and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister.
Donna was an active member of the Bishop McKendree Sunday school class, Silver Saints, and bible study classes and a church choir member at Williamsburg United Methodist Church. She enjoyed playing piano, crafting, puzzling, gardening, and nature watching. She supported many charitable causes.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her parents, Iris Glover Powell and Welmont Lewis Drake, Sr.; and her brother, Welmont "Chip" Lewis Drake, Jr. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Caryn Smith Keith and James Francis Keith, Sr.; son and daughter-in-law, James Brown Smith III and Vivienne Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Elizabeth Smith-Brady and William Harry Brady; grandchildren, Caitlyn Keith, James Keith, Jr., Aislinn Smith, Kristin Smith, J.B. Smith IV, Samantha Springer, Alexandra Abele, and Julia Springer; and beloved dog, Walker.
A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 11 AM, at First United Methodist Church in Hopewell. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Donna's memory to Heritage Humane Society.
Donna was born on March 28, 1944, in Hopewell, Virginia. She graduated from Hopewell High School in 1962, and Mary Washington College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1966.
She taught elementary music in Chesapeake, Virginia, and then in York County, Virginia, at Magruder Elementary School and Waller Mill Elementary School. She retired after 30 years of teaching. She helped countless children develop an appreciation for music and the arts.
Donna met the love of her life, James "Jim" Brown Smith, Jr., of Grimesland, North Carolina, while teaching in Chesapeake. They married on August 12, 1967, and celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2017. Together, they had three children: Caryn, James, and Sarah. Donna loved spending time with family and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister.
Donna was an active member of the Bishop McKendree Sunday school class, Silver Saints, and bible study classes and a church choir member at Williamsburg United Methodist Church. She enjoyed playing piano, crafting, puzzling, gardening, and nature watching. She supported many charitable causes.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her parents, Iris Glover Powell and Welmont Lewis Drake, Sr.; and her brother, Welmont "Chip" Lewis Drake, Jr. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Caryn Smith Keith and James Francis Keith, Sr.; son and daughter-in-law, James Brown Smith III and Vivienne Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Elizabeth Smith-Brady and William Harry Brady; grandchildren, Caitlyn Keith, James Keith, Jr., Aislinn Smith, Kristin Smith, J.B. Smith IV, Samantha Springer, Alexandra Abele, and Julia Springer; and beloved dog, Walker.
A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 11 AM, at First United Methodist Church in Hopewell. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Donna's memory to Heritage Humane Society.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donna Ake Smith, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Funeral Service
Saturday, September 9, 2023
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)
First United Methodist Church
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