Shelly Trinette Smith

08/14/1964 - 01/26/2022

Obituary For Shelly Trinette Smith

Shelly Trinette Smith passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday January 26th in Richmond, VA. She will be remembered for her sweet spirit, quiet strength, enduring faith, love for family, and willingness to serve.

Shelly was born in Newport News, Virginia. After graduating magna cum laude from Duke University, she received her MBA from the University of Maryland and decided to make Silver Spring her home. She became an active member of The People’s Community Baptist Church and a part of its Benjamin Family, whom she loved dearly. She began her successful career at Fannie Mae and her most recent employment was at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Shelly had a passion for travel. Over the years her passport carried her to South Africa, Germany, France, Canada, Dubai, Thailand, and England. Her second passion was sports. She was an avid fan of tennis, football, and ACC Basketball (she loved her Duke Blue Devils). A highlight for her was when these two passions merged and afforded her the opportunity to attend Wimbledon in 2019.

Shelly was a devoted member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and deeply committed to the Theta Omega Omega Chapter, having served several terms as an officer and consistently participating in service projects, programs, and committee work. Shelly loved to see new things and do new things. Every Easter Monday during the Obama administration, she could be found on the White House lawn serving as a volunteer for the Easter Egg Roll festivities. Shelly approached experiences and places with a sense of adventure and faced every health challenge with faith and resolve, each time making her zest for life stronger.

Growing up in a large family meant lots of love and laughter. Milestone events and holidays were important to Shelly. She often shared that family meant everything to her. Shelly is preceded in death by her parents, Viola and Will Smith Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory four devoted siblings: Will Smith III, Tracy Smith Brooks (Charles), Anona Smith Williams (Charles), and Amy Smith Jasper (Keith); cherished nieces and nephews: Terry Smith, Jaye Smith, Taylor Jasper (Alexis), Milan Brooks, and Justin Jasper; a dear uncle and aunt, loving cousins, and special friends Devon Brown, Stephanie Cummings-Carr, and Lynn Moore.

Shelly left this earth far too soon but she lived an extraordinary life surrounded by people who adored her.

The funeral will be held on Friday, February 11th at 1pm at The People’s Community Baptist Church in Silver Spring, MD. COVID protocols will be in place and it will also be live streamed on the www.tpcbc.org Facebook and YouTube channels. Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha will conduct the Ivy Beyond the Wall ceremony at noon. The viewing will begin at 12:30pm. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 12th at 12:30pm at Hampton Memorial Gardens on Butler Farm Road in Hampton, VA.

Flowers will be received by Scott’s Funeral Home at 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Richmond, VA 23222