Pallbearers taking the casket with the body of the late Robelteen Smith to be interred at Greenland Cemetery. Photo: VINO
Robelteen Smith was born to Anesta and Henry Lettsome on August 12, 2008 in East End, Tortola. She died on February 4, 2016. Photo: VINO
Among the many in attendance at the funeral for Robelteen Smith were Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Ronnie W. Skelton, Eighth District Representative Hon Marlon A. Penn, and Second District Representative Hon Melvin 'Mitch' Turnbull. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
Former Deputy Premier and close friend of Robelteen Smith, Dancia Penn-Sallah reflects on the rich life of Robelteen Smith. Photo: VINO
Retired educator and author Jennie N. Wheatley reflects on the rich life of Robelteen Smith. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
Dr Natifa Smith, grand-daughter of the late Mrs Robelteen Smith, delivers the Gospel Reading. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
Front row, from left: Deputy Premier Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), Second District Representative Melvin 'Mitch' Turnbull, and Eighth District Representative Hon Marlon A. Penn. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016.
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
The funeral service for Robelteen Smith was held at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church on February 13, 2016. Photo: VINO
'Photo memories' of the late Robelteen Smith. Image: VINO
'Photo memories' of the late Robelteen Smith. Image: VINO
'Photo memories' of the late Robelteen Smith. Image: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Her walk on the earth was a long one but she did it in an upright, humble, sharing, caring and inspiring manner, according to most of the tributes made about the life of centenarian Robelteen Smith, who was laid to rest today, February 13, 2016 following viewing and funeral service at the Road Town Apostolic Faith Church.
Mrs Smith, the oldest surviving citizen in the territory at the time, died on February 4, 2016 at the age of 107, a story first reported by Virgin Islands News Online.
“Our mother was often referred to as the “Village Missionary” who went from house to house visiting the sick and shut-ins and distributing religious literature,” her children Daisy, Pearl, Leah and Urdley stated.
Mrs Smith was also described as a great cook, a prayerful person, serious about education, and someone who was not prepared to “spare the rod.”
Born: August 12, 1908, Died: February 4, 2016
Robelteen Smith was born to Anesta and Henry Lettsome on August 12, 1908 in East End, Tortola.
She was married to the late Joseph Smith who died in 1988. The union had produced 9 children, 4 of whom are still alive.
Among the many in attendance at the funeral were Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Ronnie W. Skelton, Eighth District Representative Hon Marlon A. Penn, Second District Representative Hon Melvin 'Mitch' Turnbull and Former Deputy Premier Dancia Penn-Sallah.
Powerful God-fearing woman
Premier Smith said Mrs Smith was a powerful God-fearing woman and a beacon of light in the community. He further said she was someone well respected by those who knew and loved her and can remember her being deeply committed to village missionary as she shared the message of the Gospel to all those she came into contact with.
“Our centenarians are important to us. They have seen decades of change in the territory and have helped to shape our territory’s history. Additionally, their contributions to our development over the years have helped to build the social, economic and cultural fabric of our society that we know today,” Premier Smith added.
Icon & beacon of light
Hon Penn said “Miss Teen” as she was affectionately called, was an icon and beacon of light to so many in the community. “Miss Teen undoubtedly helped shape our community over the years with her wisdom, life experiences and moral characteristics,” Hon Penn wrote.
United States Virgin Islands (USVI) Congresswoman, Stacey E. Plaskett also sent condolences to the family of Mrs Smith.
“A devoted member of Apostolic Faith Church, Ms Smith is part of a great generation of British Virgin Islanders who have committed their time and expertise to the public good of our beautiful islands,” were some of the words from Congresswoman Plaskett.
Church founder
Reverend Michael U. Anthony, who was one of the officiating ministers, said ‘Aunt Teen’ was listed among the founding members at the 1938 inception of the Apostolic Faith Church in East End. “To complete the race and finish her course with her testimony in Christ intact almost 78 years later, speaks of the dedication, perseverance and unwavering faith that she possessed.”
Members of the church she founded described her as a pillar in the house of God and an example of a true believer in her words, conversation, charity, faith and purity.
"Her zeal for outreach ministry at the prison and street meetings; enthusiasm as a song leader, Sunday night solos during testimony time, shouts of praise as God’s Spirit witnessed with her spirit, and most of all, her belief in the power of prayer. She was quick to point out that we could not do anything without prayer and expect to be successful.”
During the tributes, an elderly woman could be overheard remarking “such a powerful little lady.”
Powerful, yet humble, caring, prayerful and God-fearing are some of the characteristics that made up the rich life and testimony of the late centenarian Mrs Robelteen Smith.
She was laid to rest at the Greenland Cemetery.
See link to related story:
http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/vis-oldest-citizen-robelteen-smith-passes-at-age-107
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