Melvine J Smith

Melvine "Pookie" Smith peacefully entered into eternal rest on December 16, 2015 at the age of eighty-four. She was the third of five girls born to the late Melvin Maiden and Eva Bell Maiden (Greer). Melvine grew up in Dahlgren, Virginia, where she graduated from King George Training School, a school her parents fought to desegregate and that was later renamed Ralph Bunche Training School. As a child, Melvine was a "runner/delivery girl" for her dad's store and also his helper as he delivered the mail. She was a lifetime member of the Ralph Bunche Alumni Association. Upon graduation, Melvine moved to the nation's capital, where she worked for the U.S. Senate, followed by many years at the Navy Annex. She retired from the Department of Defense after thirty years of Federal service.
During her early years, Melvine was a member of Little Ark Baptist Church in Dahlgren, Virginia. Later in life, Melvine and her husband, the Love of Her Life, Clifford Smith (deceased) became members of Allen Chapel AME Church, where she remained an active member. Melvine was a member of the Della B. Greene Missionary Society, the Women's Ministry, and Wednesday Night Bible Study and a loyal participant in the Communion Sunday Sick and Shut-In Visitation team.
She was Pookie to her sisters Verlette (deceased), Celestine (deceased), Frances and Itelia; Momma to Marlene and Thomasene (Ron, her son); Grandma to Sharif and Antwan; Great-Grandma to Monica and Jaylen; Aunt Pookie to Ernestine (Kelly), Claudette, Melvin, Nicole (Terrance), and Danna; and Great Aunt Pookie to eight special nieces and nephews. She adored and was adored by her sisterly confidante, Hallie Campbell. Her Allen Chapel AME church family included her spiritual mentor and friend Rev. John Thomas and Church daughters Lorraine Beavers and Deborah Moulden. She is also survived by her Aunt Rosetta Frazier.
Family love, friends, gardening, cooking, baking, and shopping were among her favorite things. For exercise, she cut a path from Saint Barnabas Road to Iverson Mall, from which she would return with at least one Macy's shopping bag. Melvine was famous for her Pineapple Upside-Down Cake (a recipe she rarely shared), cupcakes (decorated for every occasion), and a Grandma's Pound Cake that would make you want to slap . . . well, you know the rest! When she cooked, there was always enough to feed the whole neighborhood. No doubt, there are smothered pork chops, salmon cakes, and a seafood gumbo pot simmering in heaven and a shout out to "come and get it while it's hot."


Funeral Home:
Cedell Brooks Funeral Home
25662 A.P. Hill Blvd
Port Royal, VA
US 22535