Sarah Elizabeth (Dillon) Smith, 97, of Frederick County, Virginia, formerly of Fairfax Station, Virginia, passed away Saturday, September 16, 2017, at Blue Ridge Hospice Residential Facility. She was currently a member of Braddock Street UMC, and previously a long-time member of Springfield Christian Church.

Mrs. Smith born in 1920 in Mason City, Illinois, the daughter of the late William Harry and Florence Hazel (Seward) Dillon; step daughter of the late Maude June Dillon. Her husband, Richard “Dick” Warren Smith of Lincoln, Illinois, whom she married on November 30, 1941 in Peoria, Illinois preceded her in death on April 16, 2001. They were married 59 years. Mr. Smith joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1940 and was appointed a Special Agent. His bureau service took them to field office assignments in Richmond, VA; Newark, NJ; Detroit, MI; and culminated at FBI headquarters, Washington, DC, where he served as a Special Agent Section Chief until he retired in 1969.

Sally cherished her children, their families, and the too numerous to count friends she made during her blessed life. Surviving are daughters, Sandra Elizabeth Smith Ridout (Robert) of Grand Junction, Colorado and Rebecca Jeanne Smith Glover (John) of Winchester, Virginia; grandchildren, Chris Ridout (Elizabeth Townsend) of Loveland, Colorado; Erick Ridout (Wendy) of St. George, Utah; Jeanne Chase (Ed) of Ashburn, Virginia; Amy Enlow (Jeff) of Aldie, Virginia; Bryan Ridout (Miranda Hocutt) of Midland, Texas; and a step-granddaughter Bree Lawrence (Beau) of Leesburg, Virginia; and nine great grandchildren.

Sally was a graduate of Manual Training High School, Peoria, Illinois, Class of 1938 and attended Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois where she met her loving husband. She was a member of the Delta Kappa sorority and the Home Economics club, and did modeling for local clothing stores. After college, she worked for the Western Electric Phone Company, interviewing military recruits before they went into service. Later, she worked at Suburban Savings and Loan Association; when she retired in 1984, she was an Assistant Vice President in charge of 14 offices.

Being involved in the community has always been important to Sally. Her activities over the years have included, serving as the 2nd Vice President of the Women’s Association of Northern Virginia, she was the Membership Chairwoman of the Community Women’s Club of Annandale (1965-1967), ECHO Treasurer, Annandale Women’s Club President (1966-1967), Fairfax County Girl Scout Cookie Chairman (1954), and Girl Scout calendar distribution (1955). In 1954, Storley Van Camp awarded her a “Best Cook of the Year” plaque. Mrs. Smith was a member of the Washington Chapter of the Society of Former Special Agents, and a member of the Red Hat Society. After joining Springfield Christian Church in 1980, Sally was a very active member. She served as an Elder, Board Treasurer, Bazaar Chair, Deborah’s Circle Chair, Nominating Committee Chair, Chair of the 50th Anniversary Celebration (2009), and Fellowship Chair. She has also participated in the Building Committee, Search Committee, Parlor Decorating Committee, and Dinner Club. Seriously Sally, is there anything you haven’t done?

Most recently, Sally belonged to bridge and Mahjongg (she started playing at 89) groups and played two to three times a week. Her hobbies include knitting, gardening, dining out and traveling. Sally has traveled to 46 of 50 U.S. States, Europe, and recently cruised along the New England States into Newfoundland on the Cunard Line, Queen Mary ll. Sally’s major thoughts focus on her friends, family, both near-and-far neighbors, and their church. She often thanks God for the many blessings of her life, and asks for the faith to withstand its trials. Sally is always concerned about the well-being of others, daily communicating with those in need of cheering, including them in her prayers.

A Service of Celebration will be held at 11 am Saturday, October 21, 2017, at Braddock Street UMC with Pastor Kirk Nave and Pastor Frank Sherman officiating, after an hour of visitation from 10 am to 11 am.

Memorial contributions in memory of Sally may be made to Braddock Street United Methodist Church, 115 Wolfe Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601 or Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, Virginia 22601.