Helen Smith

HUNTSVILLE Helen F. Smith, 89, formally of Chattanooga, Tenn., passed away at 12:15 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. Helen was born in High Point, N.C., and lived most of her life in Chattanooga after marrying her husband Lon E. Smith, Jr. They moved to Huntsville to be closer to family in 2008.Helen grew up on the Frazier family farm in Guilford County, N.C. When World War II broke out Helen joined the Civil Service and worked as a Secretary at the Overseas Replacement Depot set up to support the war effort in Greensboro, N.C. Because of Helens natural charm and grace she was selected to be the Official Hostess to show visiting dignitaries around the base. It was in this capacity that she personally escorted President and Mrs. Franklin Roosevelt, Commanding General Eisenhower and his wife Mamie and General Douglass Macarthur, on tours of the ORD facilities.Although surrounded by enumerable eligible suitors, a single girl working at a war time military base, it was a tall athletic private from Tennessee, Lon E. Smith Jr., that captured her heart. Helen and Lon were married after he returned from the war in Europe and moved to Lons hometown, Chattanooga, TN. Until Lons untimely death just eight days ago, Helen and Lon had not been apart for more than a week in 66 years of marriage. Helen and Lon were active members of First Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga for over 60 years. She was a full-time mother to her daughter and a homemaker for her husband. She was active in many volunteer organizations including the Silver Circle and visiting the elderly in nursing homes. Her beauty, quiet dignity and loving devotion to her family will be greatly missed.Helen was preceded in death on Dec. 15, 2012 by her loving husband of 66 years, Lon E. Smith Jr.Helen is survived by her sister, Bessie York, of High Point, N.C.; daughter, Donna and husband, Stephen J. Epps, of Huntsville, Ala.; and grandson, Stephen Nathaniel Epps, of Birmingham, Ala.Laughlin Service Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.Helen will be reunited with her husband Lon at a graveside burial service to be held on Thursday, Dec. 27, at 1:30 p.m. EST at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave., Chattanooga, TN.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 117A Longwood Drive, SE, Huntsville, AL 35801.