Guilda Therese Smith Laventure, 62, passed away Saturday, April 24,2016. Born in Port-au-Prince Haiti she came to the US for a new start with her family at the age of 3 years old.

She has been a resident of the Peninsula since 1993. Surviving are her daughters Francine Smith Laventure, Catherine Laventure; sons David Laventure and Phillip Laventure; mother Floraine Alverez; father Anthony Smith; brothers Reggie Neree and Rondald Smith; sister Yanic Smith;and grandchildren, Priya Duprey, Natalia Duprey, Josiah Laventure, Christian Laventure, Avi Laventure, Desan Smith and Presley Sundeen.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 2:00 PM Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, 100 Harpersville Rd., Newport News.

Emerald Green was Guilda's birthstone and favorite color. In Honor of celebrating her life the family has requested anyone attending to please wear a piece of green clothing item ex(scarf, tie, Jewelry) thank you for honoring a piece of who she was.

I Am Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free

I'm following the path God has chosen for me.

I took His hand when I heard him call;

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way;

I've now found peace at the end of day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joys.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;

Oh yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow

Look for the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I savored much;

Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seems all to brief;

Don't lengthen your pain with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and peace to thee,

God wanted me now-He set me free.

Author Unknown