Irene A. Smith

Irene Aurelia Heard Smith age 85 passed away Tuesday September 7, 2021, at her daughter’s home in Stone Mountain, GA.  She was surrounded by her Husband Arlis (Al), her daughter, Malessia (Lisa), her grandson Donathan (Don Don), her granddaughter, Madison (Mom Mom), and her niece Wendy.

Irene was born May 5, 1936 in Aberdeen, MS to McKinley and Ruth “Bay Bay” Heard both of whom preceded her in death.  She was the first born grandchild of Annie Bell Gardner who also preceded her in death. In addition, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Eddie Heard, William Heard, and Billy William Heard and three sisters Annie Bet Blevins, Willie Mae Heard, and Maxine Poe.

She was united in matrimony to Arlis Smith on June 17, 1959 in Brockton, Massachusetts.  The couple spent their 62 years of marriage living in Brockton, MA; Rhoda, Spain; Providence, RI; Philadelphia, PA; and Stone Mountain, GA.   They share one daughter, Malessia Aurelia Smith-Kemp. 

Irene loved the Lord and accepted Him as her personal savior decades ago.  She was a member of Zion Baptist Church early in her walk with Christ under the leadership of Reverend Leon Sullivan.  After the passing of Reverend Sullivan, she became a member of the Deliverance Evangelistic Church under the leadership of Pastor Benjamin Smith. After the passing of Pastor Smith, she became a member of the True Light Fellowship Church under Reverend Wesley Pinnock and remained a member until she moved from Philadelphia, PA.

Irene’s passion in life was helping others.  She could be counted on to come to the aid of anyone who she could offer assistance to financially, spiritually, and/or emotionally. She loved children. She loved teaching children about God and sharing life lessons with children and young adults.

Irene enjoyed traveling.  She particularly enjoyed taking road trips by car with her family.  She was known to drive from Philadelphia, PA to Aberdeen, MS non-stop.  As she grew older, she loved traveling with her grandchildren. She enjoyed Myrtle Beach, SC; Hilton Head, SC; Tybee Island, GA; and Orlando, FL.  

She moved to Stone Mountain, GA in 1999 to live closer to her daughter. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Malessia Aurelia Smith-Kemp, a son-in-law Donathan Garvin Kemp II; one grandson, Donathan Garvin Kemp III; one granddaughter Madison Annette Aurelia Kemp. All of Stone Mountain, Georgia. She also leaves one Aunt Rosalee Holiday;  five sisters, Mary Alice Heard, Annie Ruth Blanchard, Leome Heard, Henrietta Key, all of Aberdeen, MS and Lois Fair of Brockton, MA, one sister in law Betty Thompson and one brother in law Donald Wayne Smith.  In addition, she leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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