Wilma Williamson Smith, 93, of Columbia, died Monday, March 4, 2024. Wilma was born a twin January 12, 1931, on a farm in Belton, South Carolina. She grew up at Bethany Baptist Church and was baptized as a young girl in a nearby creek. She and her three siblings sang as a quartet in church services. In high school, she had an aptitude for writing and was on the high school newspaper staff. She graduated from Honea Path High School in 1949, her class being the first to go through the 12th grade. Following high school, she studied at Anderson County Memorial Hospital and became an X-Ray Technologist. Her first time away from home, Wilma was employed at Shelby Hospital in Shelby, NC where she met her future husband, Richard D. Smith, Jr. who was working in construction on a wing of the same hospital.

They married March 3, 1951 eventually moving to Columbia where her husband, Dick, found employment in the car industry and later would start his own company of which Wilma was a part. As a young couple, they started attending Crescent Hill Baptist Church and were involved lifelong members. Over the years they had four children and for the most part, Wilma stayed at home with the children but always taking care of and supporting her husband and not missing an opportunity to serve at their church whether singing in the choir or leading a meeting or Sunday School to name a few. She dearly loved her church friends, knowing some of them for over 60 years. After the children were grown, she attended the University of South Carolina where she continued her love of learning. She loved to garden, sew, write, read, watch old movies, spend time with friends, and travel recording every detail but mostly, Wilma loved her family. Her children and great grands held a special place in her heart. She was the best grandmother and "Wilmie". Her very first love was Christ. Her faith in Him continued to grow and guided her throughout her life from a young age. She acted from that place in her heart and even until the end she thanked Him.

Wilma is survived by her four children, Richard, III, David and his wife, Anne, Brian and his wife, Diane, and Nancy and her husband, Barry; her grandchildren, Will, Taylor, Zach (Jenny), Jordan (Alysa), Brittany (Derrick), Brian, Jr., Chelsea (Chris) and Cameron (Elizabeth Ann); step-grandchildren, Mike (Haley), Richard, Josh (Elle) and Talia (Justin); great-grandchildren, Siggi, Kayla, Zachary, Lily, Oaklyn, Grace, Charlotte, Adler, Theodore, Carolina Rae, LeRoux, John Watson, Micah, Gwen, and Harrison.

Wilma's children would like to thank National Healthcare Center on Parklane, especially Ms. Dixon and her staff, for the gentle and loving care of their mother, Abbey Road Hospice for their extra care during the last months, and to all the extended family and church friends who faithfully prayed, visited, and sent cards, flowers, chocolate, and homemade goodies to her while at NHC. She loved all of you dearly and would have sent you a thank you card herself if she had been able.

The funeral service for Mrs. Smith will be held at 1 o'clock, Saturday, March 9th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the funeral home beginning at 11 o'clock. Burial will follow in Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens, 2603 Two Notch Road, Columbia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crescent Hill Baptist Church, 2659 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, SC 29204.