Valerie Ann Smith

Valerie Ann Smith, age 39 of Meadows of Dan, passed away peacefully at her home on June 20, 2024 surrounded by family.

After months of fighting, I have finally won my battle against Renal Medullary Carcinoma and now sit at the feet of Jesus! I have been blessed to live my final 4 years in an old farmhouse in Meadows of Dan with my best friend and devoted husband, Denny Kelvin Smith, Jr, and our youngest children, Kijah Rothrock, Denny Kelvin Smith III, and Thomas Finley Smith. My oldest daughter, Acacia Roberts, has flown the nest and resides in East Bend, NC. I am joining my Mamaw Virginia, and I leave on earth my parents, Thomas Rose and Stephanie Steelman; siblings, Katlyn Keaton, Charity Rose, Holly Davenport, and Jamie Steelman; remaining grandparents, aunts, uncles, and the rest of my family.

Between meeting the locals and enjoying this beautiful area, my time in Meadows of Dan has been abundantly blessed! Some of the most compassionate people live here and are part of what makes this small town so special and unique. I finally met my tribe of Moms who forever changed my life, and I found my church home, Grace Baptist Church in Stuart, VA.

Death at 39 years of age was never in my 5 or 10 year plan, or even my 15 or 20 year plan. Especially not with 3 babies still at home, in the best years of my marriage and at the height of my career. This whole ordeal has taken so much from my family, but it has taught me some very valuable insights. One of the most important lessons this journey has taught me is that your plans and God's plans rarely align. So, remember when you're making your plans, they really are tentative. Focus on not holding grudges because holding a grudge is only putting you in a sour mood. When is the last time you really let your friends know you appreciate them and invested your time in them? Your life would look a lot different without them in it, you know. If you still have your spouse with you earth side, spend time with them. Imagine sitting in the shoes of my husband who wishes he had just a bit more time with his wife and children together.

Spend time with your kids. Put your phone down, pause your work, and give them a hug. Tell them how proud you are of them. Love all over them and invest in quality time with them. Go out regularly, see and experience things and sites with them. They need you.

Most of all, I encourage you, if you haven't already, find a church home. I struggled for years to find somewhere that felt like home. I needed somewhere that I could wear what I was comfortable wearing. I needed a church that would actually open the Bible and read and teach from it. I needed a Pastor, not a preacher. I needed a church family. If you're reading this, there's at least one chair open now in the front row at Grace Baptist Church. It was my favorite place to sit. There are other seats too, but you're welcome to find your way to Grace and use that one. You'll feel right at home.

To all my friends and family, thank you. I hope to see you again! With all my love, Valerie Ann Smith In lieu of flowers, I ask that donations be made directly to The Chris Johnson Foundation, the only foundation dedicated solely to research and funding to fight the rare disease of Renal Medullary Carcinoma. Contributions may be sent by visiting https://chrisjohnsonfoundation.org/donations/.

A memorial service for Valerie will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Grace Baptist Church at 1:00 PM with Pastor Mark Elkins officiating. Moody Funeral Home in Stuart, VA has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.