Vickie B. Smithers

Vickie Brenda Smithers was born in Columbus, Ohio on April 3, 1954. She was the third of four children born to O. Lester and Mildred (Owens) Smithers. Vickie weighed a little over two pounds at birth and was projected to have virtually no chance to live by the doctors at that time. She was baptized and given last rights at birth. But God had other plans. After spending weeks in the primitive incubators of the 1950’s, Vickie lived another 61 years and was an inspiration to her sister Veronica, her brothers Ralph and Lester, and all who met, knew or cared for her. Vickie’s parents dedicated their lives to making sure Vickie was cared for and had everything that she needed. There were no strangers to Vickie. The family was very close, so she always was surrounded by her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and other relatives. Vickie befriended everyone she met and always with a smile. She took great pride in remembering people’s birthday. Vickie was a faithful employee at ARC Industries for over thirty years. She later worked at Goodwill Sage until her illness. Vickie was a lifelong and dedicated member of Mt. Vernon Avenue A.M.E. Church. At the age of 61 Vickie departed her earthly life on February 1, 2016 in her home. She was preceded in death by her parents. Left to cherish memories of Vickie are her brothers, O. Lester (Priscilla) Smithers, Ralph (Carole) Smithers; sister, Veronica (Charles) Bryant; aunt, Vivian Reynolds; uncles, David Holbert and James Holbert; nieces, Sheila (Troy) Taylor, Lisa Smithers, Cynthia Smithers, Vanessa (Ugo) Nwankwo, and Angela Bryant; nephews, Ralph (Pamela) Smithers, Todd (Ireen) Smithers, and Charles Bryant, Jr.; great nephews, Alexander Smithers, Zachary Smithers, Troy Taylor II; great nieces, Audrey Smithers, Kaelyn Smithers, Victoria Nwankwo, Christina Nwankwo and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.