Stella Louise Smith

On October 9, 1949, Stella Louise Smith was born to Henry Clay Williams and Mary Ella Smith in Canton, Mississippi. Affectionately known as "Granny", "Gram Gram", "Lil Bit", and "Fav Auntie". She received her formal education to become one of the first female African-American electricians in the state of Illinois. After more than 30 yrs. she officially retired from this position in 2003 from a company called Solvay (Stauffer Chemical) in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Stella's good humor and love was shared throughout her family and friends which brought each of us all closer together. She was in inspiration to anyone that crossed her path. Stella was blessed with three children who loved her with all of their heart. Vanessa Clark, Vincent (Tadja) Robinson and William Smith. Stella continuously strove to create a variety of ways to regularly bring all of her family members together just to socialize with one another. Stella often stated that "The most important thing in life is family and spending time together". Her love of God led her to study the Bible with the Jehovah's Witnesses. Stella studied the Bible carefully and ultimately decided to dedicate her life to Jehovah and symbolized that dedication through water baptism. She trusted God in all aspects of her life and leaned on him every day for support and guidance. Her faith in Jehovah is what kept her going during the health challenges she faced throughout the years. Teaching others and encouraging them to seek Jehovah's guidance in all circumstances was a passion that was built up in her that she just had to share. Stella's dedication and commitment to Jehovah proved to all of her family and friends that Ministry was her top priority. One scripture that stuck out and always kept her focused on God in all circumstances was Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding in all your ways take notice of him and he will make your path straight." On April 27, 2020, Stella fell asleep in death. She was preceded in death by her father Henry C. Williams, and mothers Mary E. Smith and Evelyn Williams. Stella will be deeply missed by all who knew her especially by her brothers and sisters Julius Addison, Wanda Washington, Debra Harper, Vounda Ann Levy, Chanetta Mitchell, Donna Lynn Rogers, Mildred C. Moore, James Johnson, Andrea Harris, Darryl Johnson, Gregory Johnson, Vanessa Rose and Tennida Dawson; special daughter Felicia; her grandchildren Vincent Jr., Kody, Chanetta, Tarence, T'Nya, Kyren, Antoine, VeYana, Tayla, Tavia, Rachel, Rebecca, Valia, Regina, Peris, and Janae; and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and spiritual family too numerous to mention.

Tributes

Stella Louise Smith

October 9, 1949 - April 27, 2020