Lavinia Burns Smith

Passed 04/19/2023

Obituary For Lavinia Burns Smith

Lavinia Peterson Burns Smith, 100, of N. Chesterfield, departed this life April 19, 2023. She was born on August 29, 1922 in Harlem, New York to her proud parents, Lucille and Julius Burns. Lavinia was the oldest of two children and the sister to the late Robert Peterson Burns, Esq. Lavinia attended elementary school at the Parish of St. Charles Borromeo in Harlem. She was later accepted to Hunter College Elementary School, Hunter College Junior High School and Hunter College High School. Lavinia received a B.A. degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College. She received a second Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling as well as a PhD in Guidance and Counseling from Columbia University Teacher’s College. Lavinia attended school with the late Dr. John Henrik Clarke and the late actress Ruby Dee. She taught early Childhood at PS112X in the Northeast Bronx in Community School District 11 and was a Guidance Counselor at PS112X as well. Lavinia wrote the curriculum for the Intraretinal Program for grades kindergarten through twelfth grade. In 1960 Lavinia married Arnold Smith. Lavinia could not accept retirement and spent thirty more years working with young people wherever she could. One of her greatest achievements was becoming a member of the Intergenerational Choir of Mount Vernon in which she was the lead “rapping Granny”! Lavinia was a member of the Mount Vernon New York Senior Choir and enjoyed practicing at the Dole Center in Mount Vernon. Left to cherish her memories are her son, Julius B. Smith; daughter-in-law, Gerena L. Smith; granddaughter, Twyla Takyi (Terance); grandson, Julius Jonathan Smith (Ashley); great-grandson, Benjamin Takyi; two great-granddaughters, Winter Smith and Torance Takyi; two bonus daughters, Ramona Woods and Valray Fields; a host of other relatives and friends. Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. where viewing will be held from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2023. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, April 27 at Scott's Chapel, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Rev. Tyrone Nelson officiating. Interment Kensico Cemetery, 273 Lakeview Avenue, Valhalla, New York 10595. Livestreaming at scottsfuneralhome.com video: https://vimeo.com/822045031