Eria Lee Smarr

Eria Lee Smarr was born September 2nd, 1934, in York, South Carolina–the second of nine children to the late George Lewis and Amelia Ann Hillyer. She gained her heavenly wings on April 20th, 2024, when GOD called his beloved daughter home at the wise age of 89. She spent her formative years in York County, South Carolina before moving to Glenarden, Maryland, where she attended school in Prince George’s County. Being one of the eldest, she always took care of and looked out for her younger siblings, something she did up until each of their deaths. It was in York, South Carolina where she met a young man from Hickory Grove, South Carolina who would become the love of her life. Their love grew throughout a long-distance courtship and his brief stint serving in the Korean War, and on April 17th, 1955, she united in holy matrimony with the late Walter Lee (Boot) Smarr. Their union was blessed with seven children and thrived for over 42 years until his death parted them in this life.

Eria accepted Christ early in her life while attending First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Maryland. After marriage, she relocated to Trenton, New Jersey, where she faithfully attended Grant Chapel AME Church for over 55 years and was honored as one of the ‘Mothers’ in the church. During that time she was a member of the Missionary Society, served on the usher board, and sang in the choir. She was truly a woman of faith, and that faith led her and her husband to purchase a home on Mercer Street in the Mill Hill neighborhood of Trenton in 1959, where they raised their family and were active members of the community for over 45 years. She took great pride in the carefully cultivated garden of flowers and shrubs that blanketed her yard every spring, especially her roses. She was considered one of the ‘Mothers of the Neighborhood’, a title she deservedly earned by always opening her home and backyard to neighbors, friends, and their children.

Eria was employed at Norelco Philips (Radiant Lamps) in Hightstown, NJ for 22 years until its closing. In addition to work, she was active in many of her children and grandchildren’s activities as a volunteer mom. She was one of the original 'Concession Stand Moms' for the North Trenton Little League, and she was a proud Team Mom of the North Trenton Progressive Club and Jay & Sons teams–both coached by her husband–in which her sons and grandson played for, respectively.

In addition to her parents and husband, Eria was predeceased by one infant child, Walter Jr., and her siblings, Georgia Ann Glover, John Hillyer, Ella Mae Harper, Willie Allen Hillyer, Thelma Floyd, Geneva Anderson, James Hillyer, and Carlton Hillyer. Left to cherish her memory are her six children: Amelia (Michael) Monk of Ewing, NJ; James “Spaceman” Smarr, Diane Howard, Robert (Veronica) Smarr of Trenton, NJ; Steve (Johnna) Smarr of Upper Marlboro, MD; and Douglas Smarr of Ewing, NJ.; two sisters in-law: Mary Adell Hillyer and Kathleen D. Hillyer; eleven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren, and a host of wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eria Lee Smarr, please visit our floral store.