Velda Smith

Velda Millette Smith, affectionately known as “Vel” departed this life on Thursday, October 29,2015 at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton, Maryland.  She was born on April 10,1967 to the late Clara Ann Cooper and Kennard Smith, Sr.

Vel was educated in the Talbot County School System. She was a member of the June 1985 graduation class from St. Michaels High School. Upon graduating; she was employed by Celeste Industries and was a loyal and faithful employee for 28 years until her passing.  Vel loved her co-workers and they also loved her dearly. She acquired the nickname of “ Candy Lady” because she always had some candy for them and she was able to lift their spirits with her dancing and outgoing personality. Vel was an excellent cook; everyone who was lucky enough to have had her cooking will especially miss her potato salad. Vel’s  family meant everything to her. Her favorite pastime activities included playing crossword puzzles, computer games and stopping by the 7- Eleven Store, they will miss her playing her numbers. She acquired many friends with her warm, pleasing, caring, and loving ways that allowed her to put a smile on the faces of others even when they were having a bad day.

In addition to her mother, Clara Ann Cooper, Vel was preceded in death by her grandparents Robert and Annie Jo Giddens, John and Francis Smith, and her uncle Phillip Smith. Vel leaves to cherish her memories, her devoted father, Kennard Smith, Sr.; her beloved children, the loves of her life, two sons   Donald (Dominique) Gaines, Jr. and Antonio Smith, both of St. Michaels, Md.; a special companion, Roger Sheffield of Hurlock, MD ; three siblings , Kennard Smith, Jr. and Latrivia K. Cooper both of St. Michaels, MD, and Rodney Smith of Federalsburg, MD.; two grandchildren,  DeMya Lee Thomas and D’Monte Gaines , AKA “Mom Mom” and “Pop Pop”,  all of St. Michaels MD.;  four aunts,  Irene Dickerson of Hartly, DE. ;  Cleo (Ernest) Holdbrook of Dover, DE. ; Juanita (Henson) Brooks of Felton, DE; Furgestine (Jesse) Head of Fort Worth, Tx.; two uncles, Robert (Louise) Giddens of Exmore, Va. ; Clarence (Judy) Giddens of Camden, DE.; and three special sister friends, Lisa Smith, Angel Holley, and Adrian Cole.