Buelah "Ernestine" Smith

Buelah Ernestine Smith, age 91, of Bear, DE, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 20, 2025, holding the hands of her children who she lovingly referred to as Sarah Jane and John Henry. Born in Wolf Trap, VA on October 22, 1933, she was a daughter of the late Ernest McGuffin and Mary Emmaline (Burnett) Brammer. Ernestine’s life began and ended with family. After losing both of her parents as a teenager, her sisters stepped in and raised her. She met the love of her life at age 17 after which she quit high school, got married and traveled to the West coast before taking residency in Florida for a short period of time. In mid-1950’s, they returned to Delaware, settling in Bear, where they built their forever home and started a family. Ernestine’s interest in words allowed her to build an extensive vocabulary which complimented the lessons she learned through real life experiences. However, she also felt that it was very important that she finish her formal education, so she enrolled in night school and graduated with her high school diploma, at the age of 45. During her 36 years of working and managing Mr. Donut and Dunkin Donuts she was most passionate about serving customers, especially her regulars. Her quick wit and prankster nature made everyone she encountered smile and brightened their day. She favorably touched the lives of both customers and employees, evident by the people that she remained in touch with, well after she retired. Ernestine was happiest when she was sharing with her family and friends. This included not only at Christmas but throughout the year. Since she loved the beach she would arrange Wildwood, NJ beach trips where she invited so many friends and family that the floors and tables would be used for beds. She cherished her family especially her grandchildren and those that called her Mommom, always available to offer a ride or advice. In the evenings, she could be found at someone’s ballgame or school event or splashing in the pool. She loved the trips to the Dollar Tree and the squirt gun fights almost more than the grandchildren. When she cooked with the grandchildren, she had a knack for modifying recipes which always resulted in interesting concoctions. In addition to her parents, Ernie was preceded in death by her husband, Donald R. Smith; and siblings, Marvin Brammer, Ethel Wyatt, Alice Fisher, Margaret Brammer, Edith Farley, Barbara Vest, Mildred Felty, and Arlene Goodman. She is survived by her children, Teresa L. Hensley of Newark and Donald R. Smith, Jr. (Kimberly) of Elkton, MD; grandchildren, Stephanie Hensley, Benjamin Hensley, Courtney Yetter, Buddy Smith, George-Anne Smith and Abigail Smith; 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren with 2 additional on the way. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am. Interment will follow in Oxford Cemetery, Oxford, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ernestine’s memory to The Paris Foundation at P.O. Box 812, Elkton, MD 21922 or online by clicking here.

Buelah "Ernestine" Smith

October 22, 1933 - February 20, 2025