Mrs. Velma Rogers Smith was the fifth child born to the late Lonnie and Effie Rogers of Leeds, AL. She attended R. R. Moton High School and was a graduate of the Leeds High School Class of “71.

Velma confessed to Christ at an early age and joined the Macedonia Baptist Church in Leeds, AL under the pastorage of Rev. I. B. Perry where she sang in the choir. She served faithfully until she moved to Boston, Massachusetts. There she joined Rush Memorial under the leadership of Rev. Jacob Cofield. There she organized a youth choir, The Gospel New Additions. She was a longtime member of the Eastern Star organization.

Velma received an associate’s degree in science from Fisher College in 1991. She was a quality control inspector for 25 plus years for Becton Dickerson and CO., also known as BD.BD, an American multinational medical technology company.

She later moved and joined St. John Missionary Baptist Church until her health began to fail. She married and to this union one son was born. She loved her son and was a great mother to him. She met and married Roland Smith, who was a caring and loving husband until her death.

On Sunday morning, January 9, 2022 she received God’s gift of eternal life at her home in Hyde Park, MA with her husband and son by her side. She was predeceased by her father and mother and (5) brothers: Charles, Lonnie Jr., Sylvester, Michael, and Curtis Rogers, one nephew Dennis Moore and one niece Sheryl Rogers May.

Celebrating Velma’s life and cherishing her memories are her husband Roland Smith, her son Litchfield Weekes, Jr., both of Hyde Park, MA (4) sisters; Rosie Moore and Essie (James) Brown of Leeds, AL, Veronica Jones of Bham, AL and Jacqueline Jackson of Oakland, CA, (2) brothers; Fred Rogers of Bham, AL and Lonnie Jones of Leeds, AL, (1) uncle; Larry Brown of Detroit, MI. Velma is survived by Roland’s children and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held at Saint John Missionary Baptist Church, 230 Warren Street, Boston, MA Wednesday January 19 at 11:00 AM. Family and friends invited. A visiting hour will be held at the church from 10-11 AM. Burial Oak Lawn Cemetery.