Verna Avril Smith

Verna A. Smith, 81, was born on January 24, 1940 in Tegucigalpa Honduras, to the late Florence and Joseph Duhaney-Jordan. Verna departed this life on March 25, 2021 at Novant Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, NC.

Verna received her early education in Belize and her nursing degree in Brooklyn, NY. Verna worked at Mamonnadies Hospital caring for patients in the hospice unit.

Verna met and married Hugh Aikman in 1961, that union produced one child, Daphne-Marie Smith-Sullivan. Mr. Aikman died in the Vietnam War. In 1962, she met and married Mr. John C. Smith. That union produced two children Christopher R. Smith and John Joseph Smith that preceded his mother and father in death.

Verna was a very spiritual woman who was raised in the Catholic Church, but later in life adopted the Baptist principles of faith. She still believed in God and her Saints.

Ms. Smith was a very outspoken woman, she was stern and also caring. Verna was a mother to those that needed a listening ear. She was also there to give you a good kick in the rear when you needed that as well.

Verna would meet you and after listening she would state, "download the Bible App and read the 23rd Psalm. If you didn't know anything else in the Bible you would know that the Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want."

Along with her parents, Verna is preceded in death by her first husband Hugh Aikman and second husband John C. Smith, sons Jeffrey Jordan and John Joseph Smith, brother Harold Jordan and sister Daphne Jordan.

She leaves to cherish her memory, daughter Daphne-Marie Smith-Sullivan, son Christopher Robert Smith, granddaughters Samantha Smith and Tawana Carter, 4 great grandchildren, cousin Barbara F. Jones, and a host of Goddaughters, Godsons, Cousins, family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at Harrisburg Funeral and Cremation Saturday April 3, 2021. Visitation will be from 11 am - Noon. Funeral service will start at Noon. The service can be viewed via Facebook Live starting at Noon. https://www.facebook.com/HarrisburgFuneral . A short repass will be held at 1304 Killashee Court, Charlotte, NC 28213. Those in attendance will need to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Out of respect and for the safety of the family it is requested that all attending services in person wear a mask.