Wilma Jean (Robinson) Smith

Reverend Wilma Jean Smith, 97, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at Heritage Valley Beaver, Pennsylvania, on January 4, 2025. She was born July 16, 1927, in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, to the late Clifford and Laura Robinson. She was the middle child of 10 children.

Loving, known as Aunt Jean, Wilmps, Revie Rev. She moved away to Chicago when she was 18 years old. Wilma married Ernest White in 1948 until his passing. She then later married Mr. Ralph Smith. She was employed with the United States Postal Service in Chicago. Wilma Jean attended Kennedy-King College, majoring in Child Development for Exceptional Children. After returning to Beaver County, she became employed by Babcock and Wilcox. Wilma Jean furthered her education by attending Geneva College for Theology. She became a licensed Evangelist under the guidance and direction of Rev. Phyliss Rucker.

Reverend Smith loved the Lord and the church.  She was a former Wayman Chapel AM.E. Church member in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. Reverend Wilma Jean Smith’s first pastoral appointment was at Trinity A.M.E. Church, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, and then Bethel A.M.E. Church, Tarentum, Pennsylvania.  Reverend Smith served as pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church, Bridgewater, Pennsylvania, for 17 years as a Local Elder.  After 35 years of serving the Lord, she tried but never stopped serving.

Reverend Wilma Jean Smith loved to sew, crochet, and do crafts. She also played the piano.

Her favorite scripture is “I will lift my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD which made heaven and earth.”  Psalm 121: 1-2.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by five brothers, Clifford, Danny, Thomas, Robert, and Hebert Robinson, two of whom died in infancy, and four sisters, Anna Mildred Thomas, Edith Delores Rawl, and Laura "Betty" Ikard, Judith Robinson.

Reverend Wilma Jean Smith had no children. Left behind to cherish her memory is Lonnie Robinson and a host of nieces and nephews, relatives, and her three goddaughters, Ruth Long, Ashley Wilson, and Tara Robinson and her devoted niece Janile Fielding.

Calling hours: Friday, January 10, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The Homegoing Celebration is on Saturday, January 11, at 11:00 a.m., held at St. John-Wayman A.M.E. Church, 715 Mulberry Street, Bridgewater, Pennsylvania. The Officiant is Licentiate Monica Jackson, Pastor, St. John-Wayman A.M.E. Church, Bridgewater Pennsylvania.

Interment will follow in Grove Cemetery, New Brighton. JJ Spratt Funeral Home, New Brighton, Pennsylvania, Pa 15056.