Virginia L Smith

Virginia Lee (Wells) Smith, age 95, passed away peacefully in her home in Southampton Township, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. She was born in Hainesport on August 17, 1927, the daughter of Preston Earl Wells and Alice Endicott Wells. Ginny grew up on her father’s farm in Hainesport. At age 16, she was driving truckloads of tomatoes to Stokes Cannery in Vincentown and later to Campbell Soup Company in Camden. While in high school, she did a short stint as a telephone switchboard operator for Agway on Pine Street, Mt. Holly. Mainly, she was a stay-at-home mom while her children were young, but occasionally worked in short-term clerical and secretarial positions. Ginny began her real career as a school bus driver in 1961, first for Mt. Laurel Township schools and in 1963, she became the first woman driver for Lenape Regional School District, retiring in 1990. She especially enjoyed driving the girls’ athletic teams to their meets and games. Ginny herself had been an athlete for 4 years at Mt. Holly High School (now RVRHS) during the difficult years of World War II, lettering in most years in 4 activities – field hockey, basketball, softball and cheerleading. She was selected to the Rancocas Valley Regional High School Athletic Hall of Fame. She also participated in several bowling leagues over the years. Ginny also enjoyed many summers spent with family on LBI and Harvey Cedars. Ginny was predeceased by her husbands Thomas Buzby Smith in 2014 and Alfred A. Gibbs in 2002, her brother Theodore P. Wells, her grandson Brian R. Sutphin and by her former husband Gerald “Pete” Sutphin. She is survived by her daughter, Virginia Sutphin MacFarland (husband Logan) and her son D. Kelly Sutphin (wife Marilyn), five grand sons, Robert MacFarland (Cait), David MacFarland (Megan), Joseph MacFarland (Karen), William Sutphin (Robin) and Jeffrey Sutphin (Cait), eleven great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Mark Wilkins, for the loving care he devoted to Ginny. A celebration of her life will be held privately. Arrangements by the Perinchief Chapels, Mount Holly. www.perinchief.com

Virginia L Smith

August 17, 1927 - July 5, 2023