ALINE SMITH

Aline Virginia Smith departed this life Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at 7:15 a.m.

Born at home in Rockbridge County March 10, 1928, the second oldest of Elmer C. and Anna Bell Lotts Sensabaugh’s 11 children.

At an early age, Aline was taught the value of hard work and being productive. These values propelled her forward. She learned from her parents, aunts and uncles to cook, sew and garden. The family worked hard and endured. After graduating high school in 1947 she attended Virginia Commercial School in 1947 but returned home six months later as her father had become ill. She taught seventh grade at Goshen High School due to a teacher shortage after the war.

On May 19, 1950, Aline married O. Maurice Smith. Together they raised four children, acquired houses and farms around Lexington. Aline was the chief financial officer of the partnership. She was a meticulous record keeper and bragged of the three-year IRS audit that resulted in zero fines as they failed to find a penny out of place.

Aline was known for her no-nonsense nature but she also would strive to help others when she could. Her home was always in order. A day’s work on the farm often included pulling wagons of hay to the barn, maintaining the garden, harvesting, freezing and canning the produce, and she still managed to always put a good meal on the table. There was often the occasion when the basement was used to care for sick or helpless calves, pigs or lambs, but she never complained. Even the weakest she could nurse back to health. Aline built relationships with tenants of the various rental properties. At times these included Washington and Lee University students and lifelong relationships ensued.

Aline became a defining force for those willing to learn from her wisdom. Known by many around Lexington, she and Maurice were a familiar sight, often seen together checking the cattle and property. Mom opened the gates and Dad always reminded her to hook them back, every time. Over the course of their almost 70 years together, a partnership developed and served them well.

Aline proved to be a fighter, beating breast cancer, Guillain- Barre Syndrome and living with congestive heart failure while never complaining. She saw these as bumps in the road and was never inclined to burden others with her problems. These were traits she attributed to her Sensabaugh upbringing. Often her doctors and nurses were in awe of her shear tenacity to keep moving forward against the odds.

Strong willed, Aline was never one to back down from her beliefs and values. She was raised in a hard-working and productive family. She lived her life the same with tenacity and strength. The wisdom of her parents, aunts and uncles sustained her for 94 years.

Left to remember her are her children, Mack (Ann), Susan, Wendell (Nell) and Moncie; grandchildren Margaret Ann, Martha Ann, Marcus (Sarah), Jennifer, Justin, Kaitlyn and Zev; two great-grandsons, Hezekiah and Jeremiah; as well as five brothers, one sister, numerous nieces and nephews.

Burial was in the cemetery previously known as the Stonewall Jackson Cemetery. She remarked, “I bought my plot there, I will be buried there”.

Arrangements were made by Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory.

When you travel south of Lexington on U.S. 11, look for Aline in her pink ball cap, along with Maurice, her partner in life. They vowed to be seen there in the fields they so loved.

Surely God opened the last gate for Mom and no one needs to remind her to hook it back!

Special thanks to the doctors, nurses, CNAs, and staff at Rockbridge Internist Inc., Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital, University of Virginia Hospital, University of Virginia Heart and Vascular Health Center, The Glebe in Daleville, Our Lady of the Valley in Roanoke and Woodland Hills in Roanoke All provided excellent care for Mom on her journey towards peace. To Alice Martin and Betsy Dudley, thank you. Mom was so appreciative of your help. Finally to Cindy Shumate, your friendship brightened Mom’s spirits daily! Your care and concern was a blessing. As mom would say, “Until you are better paid, thank you.”

N-G