Nelly E. Smith was born on August 29, 1929 in Logwood, Jamaica to David and Thelma (“Nana”) Smith. Her siblings are Vibert, Sonny, Alexander, Pamela, Joyce and Connie. As a child, she attended the United Methodist Church and Caverly Prepatory School. In her teen years, she relocated to Port Antonio to develop her skills as a seamtress.
In 1954, Nelly Smith and Ronald Haughton were married at St. Paul Church in West Moreland, Jamaica. Their union produced 9 children: Marcia and Ronald Fitzgerald (twins), Claudette, Lawrence, Errol Michael, Pauline and Paula (twins), Paul and Dahlia. Both master tailors by profession in Jamaica, in 1960 Nelly and Ronald migrated to England. After three years in the UK, they returned to Jamaica and lived for nine years. In 1972, Nelly immigrated from Jamaica and stayed with her cousin Daphne Dilworth in New York. A year later, Ronald came to join Nelly, finding work at New York Hospital in White Plains, NY, where he would work for the next 16 years. Nelly went to school to study nursing, and worked as a certified nursing assistant at Tibbits Nursing Home for 21 years.
Although they arrived in the US in middle age without much money and fewer contacts, Ronald and Nelly built a happy and productive life in White Plains. They were able to purchase a house, and arranged for all nine children to eventually join them in New York. The Haughton home was a waystation for other West Indians immigrating to the US, and Ronald and Nelly diligently helped as many people as they could who needed
a warm bed, a hot meal and a chance to get on their feet.
Ronald and Nelly enjoyed many good times together as they carefully cultivated a strong sense of discipline, faith, respect and optimism in their children and grandchildren. When Ronald passed from illness in December 1995, Nelly continued to care for people in need, had endless compassion and encouragement for the weary, and always maintained a genuine tenderness for the very young and the weak. Nelly enjoyed being with her family and doting on her grandchildren. Some of her favorites past times were cooking and baking.
In early 2015, Nelly was hospitalized for congestive heart failure; an illness from which she never recovered. On March 11, Nelly passed from this world. She died peacefully quoting Scripture, and surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and a host of loved ones. She is survived by her siblings, Vibert, Pamela, Joyce and Connie; her 9 children, 27 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Nelly is remembered as an adoring wife, loving mother, devoted grandmother and a faithful friend. She was a true saint of Christ and has gone on to her reward. She is missed; but none can deny that she is now in a better place with her God who loved her best.
In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates contributions be made in her memory to the American Heart Association www.heart.org/life.
The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that the Haughton Family entrusted the care of their loved one to us, and that they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the Haughton Family during their time of bereavement.
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