Mrs. Zena Smith, formerly of Mclean/Great Falls Va., having retired to the Kilmarnock, Va., area in 1998, passed away at the Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury April 20, 2019. She is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Edwin Jay Smith, and her sister, Mrs. Rose Fuller, of Lovettsville, Va.; sons, Gary, Edwin Jay Jr, Christopher, Timothy, Robert, and Joseph; daughter, Nancy; as well as 36 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Smith was born June 21,1929, in Baltimore, to Joseph and Nunzia Zangla. She grew up in Washington, D.C., and graduated Eastern Senior High School, Class of 1948.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith were married in Washington, D.C., Sept. 12, 1948. Together they founded E. Jay Smith Builders which, by the early 1960s, became one of the D.C. area’s most prestigious builders and home renovation specialists. Noted projects include the conversion of the Naval Observatory into the official residence of the vice president, the renovation of Hickory Hill, home of Senator and Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy, the construction of the McLean, Va., residence of Senator and Mrs. Ted Kennedy, as well as the McLean residence of Governor and Mrs. Charles Robb.
Mrs. Smith managed business operations for their company until she retired to the Northern Neck with her husband. Even in retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Smith oversaw the design and construction of the White Stone Church of the Nazarene of which theywere devoted members.
There are not words to express how much Mrs. Smith will be missed and honored by her family and her many wonderful friends. She lived a full and active life with unwavering faith in Christ and in the promise of the resurrection.
Though her passing will be mourned deeply by all those blessed by her love and kindness, it is made sweet by the sure hope of a joyous reunion.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mrs. Smith’s memory to the Dravet Syndrome Foundation: https://www.dravetfoundation.org/donate/
Funeral services will be held 12 p.m. Monday, April 29, 2019, at Church of the Nazarene, White Stone, Va. Interment will follow the service at Historic Christ Church burying grounds.
