Velda B Smith

Velda Smith Photo

Velda Bernice Smith was born on June 30th in the year 1941. She passed into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 12th, 2020. Proceeded in death by her Father Herbert L. Newman Sr., her Mother Thelma B. Newman and her brother Harold Dwight Newman. She is survived by her children, Monica and Kevin Whitlow, Harold “Todd” and Kim Smith and her youngest daughter Tausha Smith. Her grandchildren, Monique and William Hazellief, Marlon Smith, Morgan and Rudy Jean, Myles Smith, Tony Price Jr., and Tashae Smith-Price. Her great-grandchildren DeSean Smith, Zy’ion Smith-Price, Julian and Maliyah Hazellief, and Nylah and Nevaeh Jean.

Velda grew up on the Hilltop of Columbus, Ohio with her 6 brothers and sisters, Herbert Leon Jr., Harold Dwight Newman, Sharon Campbell, Herchel Newman, Glenneth Tillman and H Graling Newman. She graduated from West High School. Velda gave her life to Christ at a very early age and was a member of New Covenant Believers church where her brother in law Howard Tillman is the Bishop until the time of her passing. Velda worked at Nationwide Insurance in downtown Columbus as a secretary for many years before she retired.

Velda will be remembered as a Prayer Warrior, a person that has been jokingly called Gods best friend because of her close relationship with God. Her prayers have been known to shake the room. She loved to collect pigs, stuffed pigs, glass pigs, ceramic pigs, you name it, she had it! Velda loved doing puzzles, crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. She loved to use her hands, such beautiful hands. Her love for Crochet will be a gift we can now all treasure forever, she has made over 100+ blankets that will keep us warm with her love until the end of time.

Velda was faithful in her walk with God, and now she has found her rightful place in her seat right next to him. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” -Isaiah 40:31

Visitation 7:30pm-9:00pm. Friday, March 20, 2020 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE NORTH, 2500 Cleveland Ave. Services can be streamed at 8:30am Saturday at ncbchurch.org/the-live-worship-experience.

Interment at Green Lawn Cemetery. To read the complete obituary, order flowers, view video tribute and offer condolences to The SMITH Family, visit www.TheChapelofPeace.com

Interment at Green Lawn Cemetery.

Condolence Messages

  1. So glad to have had you as my cousin. I thank God that we were able to spend good “ quality time” together at Darnell’s birthday celebration. You have fought a good fight. You have finished your course and now you will forever be with the Lord. Love, Sylvia

  2. Sandy Waters-Holley

    My heartfelt love and prayers to the family of Velda Smith. Certainly, she was an earth angel in every sense of the word! Her kindness, poise, prayerful intervention were beyond words! She was God’s jewel on earth, possessing all of His radiance! Will miss her so much–from her laughter-to her crocheting! Love never ends… Sandy Waters-Holley

  3. There are no words to express the sorrow in our hearts. Please except our deepest sympathy. In times of stress, we need comfort to soothe the heart. May the peace of God guard your hearts. Thinking of you all.

  4. Cathy L. Stevenson

    Family,
    May God blanket you in His arms of comfort during this time. Velda was the very epitome of a prayer warrior. On many occasions, Velda cried out unto the Lord on our behalf. We are still reaping benefits from her prayers.
    Keeping you in prayer, Cathy L. Stevenson

  5. Terry Neighbors

    I simply loved this beautiful lady and her kids. She and I would have our private times and she knew how the Lord would lay each child on my heart and the years as He planned. They have been in my heart for years, longer than they know. I am going to miss her and will continue my prayers for the family.
    You all are in my heart,

    Terry Neughbors

  6. Anna (Holland) Austin

    During these days of sorrow, I offer my deep condolences and prayers to all the family.
    Since we were teenagers at CCAF, down through the years our lives have touched from her
    wonderful parents, siblings, children, grandchildren and even great grandson in Florida .
    Velda was a sweet, funny and loving person. We were always glad to see each other.
    She will be missed but never forgotten. I pray God will continue to comfort and strengthen
    you.

    cas only He can and He
    will.

  7. Jacqueline Poindexter

    Sister Velda Smith was a true intercessor. She believed in the power of prayer and having a personal relationship with The Lord. You didn’t have to ask her to praise The Lord. She always stayed in a place of readiness to worship and praise God. I will miss our talks about The Lord and how she always encouraged me to keep Him first in all things. I will miss her smile and the beautiful example she displayed everyday as a true worshipper. My condolences to her family. Praying for you that our Lord will comfort you as he is The Great Comforter. Rest well Sister Velda. Well done. See you in the morning. Love you

  8. Min. Linda Barnes

    Prayer is the greatest privilege we have. It’s not a duty, obligation or last ditch effort; it should always be our first line of defense. -Joyce Meyer. “Be unceasing in prayer…”1 Thessalonians 5:17 AMPC. My sweet lifelong friend was my first line of defense and for many others too. She and I had a special bond, we crocheted hats and scarves for the homeless together on Grandma’s Couch. We worked together at Nationwide and New Covenant (labors of love). But in all of the over 20 years we never had a cross word! I will miss her but I know she is resting in the Arms of our Savior. Grace, peace and love…

  9. Jeri, Linda’s Daughter

    My deepest condolences on the passing of “Intercessor Velda!” What a mighty woman of God she has been! Thank you for sharing her with so many of us. My prayers are with you! Grace and peace be multiplied to you From God Our Father!

  10. Sheneise Landrum

    Monica Tausha and Todd and the entire family I am praying for you all during the loss of y’all’s beautiful mother. I pray for strength and comfort during this time. Love you all

  11. Geneva Taylor Dorsey

    To The Family:
    Whenever I think of Velda, I smile. I have many fond memories of her. May God’s peace and comfort be with you.

  12. Ronald /Ida smith

    We were unable to pay personal respect to the family of Venda because of the Cironavirus, but you all are in our prayers. The Newman Family is very dear to our hearts. May you all feel the comfort of the Lord Jesus Christ! Love you!

  13. I worked with Velda at Nationwide when I started my career there in 1979. She was a such a wonderful lady! She always had a smile and a kind word.

    RIP Ms Velda

  14. Yvonne Westerfield

    To Family of Velda Smith

    Sorry about your loss i worked with Velda for years doing the Christian Jewel days she will be missed by all but she is resting in the arms of the Lord she is at peace my prayers go out to the family
    Yvonne Westerfield

  15. Dear Brittany Hill Family: The Smith Family
    While words fail to capture the pain of losing a loved one, we look forward to the time when words will fail to capture the joy of having OUR HEAVENLY FATHER RETURN YOUR DEAR MOTHER TO YOU!! I LOVE YOU MAY JEHOVAH GOD SUBSTAIN YOU AT THIS TIME OF SUCH GREAT LOSS

  16. Gloria J. Pearson Bent

    I pray God’s richest blessings on Velda’s family. We went to school together at West High. Even during our younger years she was one of God’s children. She will be missed!

  17. Valerie Brown

    To My Extended Family: The Smith Family
    To my sisters and my brother. I called her mom too. I loved her. Velda was like a mother to me and accepted me as her own. She had a beautiful spirit and God has called his angel home. She is with God and I can take comfort in that. She will be missed and was a remarkable woman that everyone loved. Her voice, her smile, her chastising and her love she passed on to others. Monica, Todd and Tosha, you were blessed to have such a loving mother. She touched so many people. I love you all and we had the best times and memories. Although I couldn’t be there, I was there for her beautiful online service. It was extraordinary and was meant for the Queen she was. Take care, I love you, but most of all… Be Blessed! Your long lost sister, Valerie…

  18. Herchel Newman

    For all that Velda was to soo many people, I /we knew her as our big sister; the one our parents left in charge when they were away. A couple of us gave her a hard time with our mischief. Soo many memories will keep her with us. Some I will attempt to put in print for safekeeping to share through the years. Today is June 30, 2021; Velda’s birthday. I always bought her a watermelon for her birthday. I got one today. Little things mean a lot. 🙂 I’m taking the initiative to speak for the family she is from and the one she has begun to thank you all for your sympathy and condolences. You have ours as well because she took you in as family by way of love. Because He lives, she lives, and every word of every prayer she prayed still rings in God’s ears. So know she has not left us even though she has gone away.

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