Roberta C. Smith

Roberta Ann Cummings Smith, better known as Chippy, passed on October 19, 2011. A member of the Greatest Generation, she was the second daughter born to Ann V. and George W. Cummings in East Hartford, Conn on July 2, 1919 and later grew up in New York City. She was preceded in death by her husband of 26 years, Eugene Arlington (Spec) Smith, Jr. She is survived by her brother Warren George Cummings and his wife Marga in Fla., her Sister-in-Law Alice M. Smith and her seven children: William James and wife Susan, Mary Ann Edwards and husband Steve, Kathleen Marie McIntosh and husband Norman, Margaret Elizabeth Davis and husband Ray, Robert Eugene, Nancy Bettie Thibodeaux and husband Norman, and Patricia Maureen Bennett. She has 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Chippy served as a 2nd Lt. in the WACS during World War II. After the War, she assumed the role of homemaker to their 7 children. Once settled in Norfolk, VA, Chippy enjoyed an 18 year career as a Kindergarten teacher at St. Matthew’s School. Upon retirement, she remained actively involved in her Catholic faith to include serving on St. Gregory’s Parish Council, performing hours of volunteer work, as well as being a member of the DAR from the age of 18. A rosary service will be conducted at 6pm at the Woodlawn Funeral Home Chapel located at 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd. in Norfolk, to be followed by a visitation. A funeral Mass will take place at 11:30 AM on Monday, October 24, 2011 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church to be followed by internment at Woodlawn Cemetery, 6309 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, VA. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, all donations be made to The Wounded Warrior Project or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Online condolences can be made to the family at woodlawngroup.com.