We celebrate and honor Alice Smith, devoted wife, loving mother, aunt, dear friend to many and wonderful human being who set the example for who a good person is every day of her life.
Alice passed away on February 1, 2025, surrounded by family in Williamsburg, Virginia. Born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, on April 30, 1944, she grew up in nearby Renton, graduating from Plum Senior High School in 1962. Alice attended Miami University of Ohio before transferring and graduating from Adelphi University on Long Island, New York, as a speech therapist in 1966.
In June of that same year, after a nearly six-year courtship, Alice married her high school sweetheart, John William Smith, following his graduation from West Point and commission into the U.S. Army. The two welcomed a daughter, Christina Lynn, in 1978, while living in Washington, D.C.
During their 32-plus year Army adventure, Alice and her family lived and traveled across the United States and globally, living in 11 states and three foreign countries. Alice was active wherever she found herself, and was driven by an extraordinary sense of responsibility, commitment and selflessness. Her North Star was her family which included her many friends and those in the community. She served as a teacher, as well as a core support to Army service members and their families; in particular during Desert Storm where she supported 1,200 families during a nearly one-year deployment. She ensured that every new location, house, or hotel no matter how temporary, felt like home and was filled with love, a warm meal, and a hug.
Alice had a zeal for travel and could often be found with a variety of travel books and magazines with earmarked pages nearby. She planned and took many adventures with family and friends across Europe, Central and South America, and Asia, always finding the best activities and restaurants, no matter how remote the location. In addition to her passion for travel, Alice was an avid reader, lover of the beach, dogs, and sunny, warm days.
Through her life, Alice’s savior, Jesus Christ, dwelled in her heart. Holding a microscope up to her time on Earth, one can see clearly the reality of Proverbs 16:9 … “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
Alice is survived by her husband of 58 years, Brigadier General John W. Smith, U.S. Army (retired), and daughter, Christina Smith (Michael) Marion. She is also survived by her brothers-in-law, Thomas R. (Janet) Smith and Robin L. (Becky) Smith; her nephews, Thom (Jen) Smith, Johnny (Shavanya Lynch) Smith; and niece, Stephanie (Andrew) Smith, and their families. Alice is preceded in death by her parents, Wilson and Christina (Barr) MacFarlane, and her sister, Martha Ann MacFarlane.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 215 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185.
The service will be streamed and can be viewed here.
