Henrietta S. Smith

It was a time of depression 1936 when Jessie Owens won the 36 Olympics, and Billie Holliday was blessing the jazz stages with her hit “Summer Time” leaving an impression of what black folks are made of. There was a beautiful west Indian woman, Beatrice Wilson, who fell for the “Irish man” Edward Burke. Whom later bore on June 30, 1936 Henrietta Sadie Burke. Peggy as she was called grew up in South Philadelphia where she was well known and respected. Growing up she loved Betty Boop, Mahalia Jackson and Etta James. Henrietta was educated in the Philadelphia School System and graduated from Stanton Middle School. Henrietta enjoyed traveling and ended up in New York City where she gave birth to her first child Dianne Simpkins. Henrietta came back to Philadelphia where she met and later married Samuel P. Smith in 1960. After marrying Samuel better known as “Smitty” they produced six children from this union: Alphonso, Lorraine, Manuel, Joseph (Lisa) and Eipfanno Smith. She later had her last child Ernesto Torres by Vincent Torres.

  Throughout Henrietta Smith early life, she worked as a nurse, noon time aid (Philadelphia School District) and Philadelphia Corporation for the Aging. Henrietta enjoyed spending time at the casinos in Atlantic City and various programs throughout the community. Although she enjoyed extracurricular activities, her foundation was always God and church. Throughout Henrietta early life, she found solace in falling in love twice. Although she was married to Samuel P. Smith, she later found love with Thomas Lee Montgomery for 41 years. Henrietta and Thomas raised her children and grandchildren (Kowana Smith, Kenneth Ross Bahiyyah Torres and Brittney Torres). Henrietta was a strong-minded woman with a big heart! Anything that anyone needed to know she was always resource able!

 Henrietta always made it an adventure for her grandchildren by taking them on long walks to and from Penn’s Landing, the beach, amusement parks, after school extra curriculum activities, sleep overs with all of her grandchildren, cookouts and most importantly she ensured that her grandchildren went to church on Sundays.

Henrietta survived by her sister Arlene Burke, her stepchildren Gloria Presley, Rita Halstead, her biological children, Dianne, Alphonso, Lorraine, Manuel, and Eipfanno. A host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. Henrietta proceeded in death by Samuel P. Smith (husband), Thomas L Montgomery. Also her siblings Hilda Teagle and Bobby Wilson. Her parents Beatrice Wilson and Edward Burke. Two children Joseph Smith and Ernesto Torres. May they all rejoice in heaven as they watch her gain her wings.

We the family and the community are saddened by this lost as she was very loved and well respected in her community. Henrietta will be laid to rest at Greenmount Honorary Veterans Garden.

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