Velmaree N. Smith

Velmaree N. Smith (neé Nicholson), 93; passed away on Sunday, October 21, 2018. The beloved wife to Attorney Walterio S. Smith (deceased), they had 62 wonderful years together. Velmaree was a loving mother of three children, Orlando, Lorenzo and Melissa (Husband Harold); Beloved sister to the late Bernice Octavia Nicholson Donald, and the late Reverend Henry Nicholson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fannie Lockett and William Henry Nicholson. Velmaree is survived by many loving family members of in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. Velmaree graduated from Lincoln High School of East St. Louis, Illinois in 1942, at the young age of 16. She worked in the Federal Government as a Typist in the Navy Department, Washington D.C. 1943-1947. Her deepest passion and love was serving humanity through Nursing. She graduated from Freedmen's Hospital School of Nursing, Washington D.C. in 1950 (now Howard University) and became a registered nurse in that same year. Remaining true in her devotion to life-long learning, Velmaree graduated from Cleveland State University, 1974 with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. She retired from University Hospitals of Cleveland in December 1988 and remained actively licensed as a Registered Nurse for many years beyond. A deeply spiritual woman, Velmaree developed her strong religious foundation at a young age at Truelight Baptist Church in East St. Louis, Illinois. Velmaree was a devoted, loving, wife, mother and friend. She felt God put her and Walterio on earth to be married to each other. She was an avid reader, great conversationalist, who also loved animals, nature walks, cooking, gospel, and Latin music. She was a brilliant, incredibly generous, kind woman, very deeply loved, admired and missed.