DENISE LA-VONE SMITH, 70, of Windsor CT, entered into this world on December 15, 1953, in Washington, DC. The daughter of Julian and Helen Smith, she peacefully ascended to Heaven and joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

Denise was a 1971 graduate from Hillhouse High School in New Haven, CT and received her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Connecticut in 1975. She went on to received two Master degrees, one from Central Connecticut State University and the other from the University of Hartford. She was employed by Hartford Board of Education where she was a Special Education Teacher for 35 years. She loved teaching and working with the special children in helping them achieve educational excellence. She found joy in seeing these special children graduate and some even went on to college to pursued their dreams. They were her pride and joy.

Denise was a loving, caring and giving person. She love doing things with family and friends. Enjoying vacationing with her husband, sons, mother and father, with such trips to Florida (Westgate Resorts), Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, SC, Tennessee, Cape Cod, Atlanta, GA, and other exciting places. Having Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and Mother’s Day gathering with the families. She was big on Christmas shopping for the kids and made sure every gift was wrapped, because, she wanted to witness the joy they showed when opening the gifts.

Densie loved to volunteer, giving of herself to different organizations and to the church. She is a faithful member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church where she was a member of the Black History Ministry, putting together presentation for church services. She is a charted member of the Hartford Multinational Lion’s Club where she excelled in helping the Lion’s Club with their events and functions. This club was her pride and joy. She also volunteers in helping with The Travelers Employees’ Club (TTEC) Children Holiday Party, TTEC’s water station for The Hartford Marathon races, in charge of the food for Jo Ryu Karate tournaments and at the end of the school year she held an all-night Read-A-Thon for the students of Mark Twain School in Hartford, CT, where she taught.

Denise was a bright light to everyone she met or encountered. Denise and her husband Donald would have been married for 47 years on June 25, 2024. Together they brought joy to all they encountered. Everyone will miss Sister Denise’s bright light.

In addition to her husband of 46 years, who have an ache in his heart with her passing, Denise is survived by her son Donald Jr., her mother Helen Smith Best, mother in-law Dorothy Rush, her brothers Julian Smith Jr., Thaddeus Best Jr., Timothy Rush, Courtney Rush and his wife Donna, Bishop Victor Rush and his wife Rev. Jeanette Rush; and her sisters, Regena Smith, Veronica Robinson, Dorothy Stanford and Hazel Best Shaw and a host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, family and friends.

Denise was predeceased by her sons, Deondre’ J. Smith and Datwan L. Smith, her fathers, Julian S. Smith Sr. and Thaddeus Best Sr.,  brother, Frank A. Smith and fathers-in-law, McPhail J Smith and Frank J Rush and grandfathers Neal Dixon and Elmer Smith and grandmothers Blanchie Dixon and Sarah Smith and sister Audrey ‘Faye’ Harris and a beloved nephew Eugene ‘Gene’ Robinson.

Her family will receive friends on Friday, June 14, 2024 10-11, with The Celebration of Life Service at 11:-00 am at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 2 FD Oates, Hartford, CT