Grace (Smith) Larry

Grace Smith Larry, 98, of Portland, CT went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday November 13, 2025. She was born on October 14, 1927, to the late Lemon and Ola Mae (Blalock) Smith of Portland, Connecticut. She was a very active member in the Portland community. Grace managed the family's restaurant, Smith's Luncheonette, for many years. Her culinary skills were excellent, and everyone couldn't wait to eat her food. People traveled from far and near to experience her delectable cuisine. Grace's true contentment in life was achieved by serving others. She was a member of the True Vine Holiness Church in Portland, where she was ordained as a deacon. She embellished the spirit of serving through song and music.  She often led musical praise at church by way of her tambourine, sharing her musical abilities with the congregation. She also had a love for playing the guitar in her younger years. Grace was one of the founding members of the People Helping People Coalition, which is a community outreach program that provides support in various ways to those in need. Grace also began a professional career once the family restaurant closed. She worked at Community Renewal Team (formerly Community Action of Greater Middletown), which perpetuated her love of service and helping others. When it comes to family, we can truly say that Grace loved her family and would brag to anyone about even the smallest accomplishments. She was a strong advocate for family sticking together. She made sure to always have freshly baked sweet potato pies, cakes, burgers, etc., and made sure to have extra sweet Kool-Aid on hand for the family. Grace’s community service endeavors left a profound impact on her family and a historical fingerprint in Portland.  She was recently honored by the Portland Historical Society, where excerpts from her life were captured by her great grandniece Brookelyn Grant, and compiled into a visible timeline. Grace’s family timeline has become a permanent fixture in Portland’s history and can be viewed at the Portland Public Library.  Grace’s dedication to God served as the foundation for the love and light she spread throughout her life. She always instilled in her family to have love for the Lord, to put Him first, and to always pray; something she continued to do in her last days, when she was not her best.  “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1 KJV

Grace is survived by her beloved son, Arthur A. Smith; nieces Earlene Grant, Kathryn Smith, Rosalyn Perry, Laura Gaston, Sophronia Smith, Vanessa Burks and Nancy Smith; nephew Ernest Smith, special friend Margaret Hodges of Cromwell and a host of other family and friends. She is predeceased by her parents, Lemon and Ola Mae (Blalock) Smith; brothers Ernest and Leonard Smith; and sisters Sophronia and Emma Smith.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 20th at 11:00 am at Cross Street AME Zion Church, 440 West Street, Middletown.  A burial will follow in Trinity Cemetery in Portland.  Family and friends may call on Thursday Morning before the service at the church from 10:00 to 11:00 am.  To share memories or send condolences, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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