Alease Smith Poindexter

Alease Smith Poindexter, 87, of Grottoes, Virginia, departed this life on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Blue Ridge Rehabilitation Center in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Aaron Smith and Annie Robinson Ercus.

Born on February 17, 1939, in Arrington, Virginia, Alease was raised with a strong faith and was baptized at the age of five at the baptismal pool of New Mount Baptist Church.

Alease never met a stranger. She was known for her warm personality, love of family, and welcoming spirit. She enjoyed cooking and was especially known for making the best lemonade. Bingo nights were one of her favorite pastimes, and she was always there early to enjoy the fellowship. She cherished spending time with her family, looked forward to attending homecoming celebrations until her health declined in 2010, loved hearing her nephews sing, and adored her grandchildren.

After relocating from Washington, D.C., to Woodbridge, Virginia, Alease began her career with Comfort Inn Hotel, where she served as Supervisor of Housekeeping. She later moved to Grottoes, Virginia, where she continued her career as the manager of the Grottoes Laundromat.

Alease is survived by her children, Kathleen E. Morse-Briggs (Nathaniel) of Arrington, Virginia; Daniel L. "Danny" Morse of Arrington, Virginia; Denise A. Poindexter-Williams of Maryland; Tawanna P. Cason (Pastor Anthony Cason) of Maryland; James L. McCarthy (Vernice) of Richmond, Virginia; Keith E. McCarthy (Mitzi) of Ashland, Virginia; Jerry Poindexter; and Charles Poindexter (Patricia). She is also survived by 17 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; her daughters-in-law, Darlene Poindexter and Diana Poindexter; her sisters-in-law, Alease Smith and Portia Smith; her nieces and nephews; and many other loving family members and friends.

In addition to her parents, Alease was preceded in death by her children, Royal "Happy" Flether, Antonio "Tony" Poindexter, George R. "Buddy" Poindexter, and Gary Poindexter; and her siblings, Aaron Smith, Andrew Smith, Anna Elizabeth "Lizzie" Smith-Miles, Kimmie Smith, Nathaniel "Butch" Smith, Corrie Smith, Franklin Delano "Frank" Smith, Clairdean Smith-Bryant, Lester Smith, and Clementine Smith-Jones.

A joint funeral service celebrating the lives of Alease Smith Poindexter and her son, Antonio Poindexter, will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at New Mount Baptist Church, 370 Phoenix Road, Arrington, Virginia. Rev. Aaron Wade will officiate, with Minister Brenda Brown delivering the eulogy. The family will receive friends during a visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Memorial Garden Cemetery, Arrington, Virginia.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.