Victoria Townes Smith

Victoria Townes Smith of Riverhead died June 18 at Peconic Bay Medical Center. She was 102.

She was born March 14, 1909, in Ballsville, Va., to Beverly and Anita Lipscomb Townes, and attended the Powhatan, Va., school system. She married Allen G. Smith in 1932, and was a homemaker.

According to family, she was devoted to Friendship Baptist Church in Riverhead, where her husband was a deacon, and was honored to be designated one of the church’s “Mothers.”

Ms. Smith was very independent until her hospitalization earlier this year, family said, and her mind, memory and wit remained sharp until her last day. She was always tuned in to CNN or MSNBC, they said, loved to discuss current events, especially politics, and was thrilled to have lived to see a black man become president, especially when President Obama signed and sent her a proclamation from the Oval Office for her 100th birthday.

Predeceased by her husband and her son Allen Jr., Ms. Smith is survived by her son, Frederick, of Riverhead; her sister, Almeade, of Corona, N.Y.; nine grandchildren; and many great- and great-great-grandchildren. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Robert, Limus, Beverly and Roscoe.

A service took place June 23 at Friendship Baptist Church, the Rev. A. Charles McElroy officiating. Interment was at Riverhead Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Seay Memorial Chapel in Riverhead.