Reverend Wilma Jean Smith, 97, of Beaver Falls, passed away at Heritage Valley Beaver, on January 4th, 2025. She was born in New Brighton on July 16th, 1927, to the late Clifford and Laura Robinson. 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, Laura “Betty” Ikard and Judith Robinson. Reverend Wilma Jean Smith had no children and she is survived by Lonnie Robinson and a host of nieces and nephews, relatives, her three goddaughters, Ruth Long, Ashley Wilson, and Tara Robinson and her devoted niece Janile Fielding. She was the middle child of ten children.

Known as Aunt Jean, Wilmps, Revie Rev, Wilma moved away to Chicago when she was eighteen 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. Reverend Wilma Jean Smith’s first pastoral appointment was at Trinity A.M.E. Church in Ellwood City, and then Bethel A.M.E. Church of Tarentum, Pennsylvania.  Reverend Smith served as pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church of Bridgewater, for seventeen years as a Local Elder.  After thirty-five 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.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 10th, from 4-7 p.m. at St John-Wayman AME Church, 715 Mulberry Street, Beaver. The Homegoing Celebration is on Saturday, January 11, at 11:00 a.m., held at the same church. The Officiant is Licentiate Monica Jackson, the Pastor of St. John-Wayman A.M.E. Church of Bridgewater.

Interment will follow in Grove Cemetery of New Brighton. Arrangements have been entrusted to J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton.