Agnes Irene Hudnall Smith, a retired housekeeper who lived to be 105, died in her sleep July 26 at Catonsville Commons Nursing Home. She formerly lived in West Baltimore.
Born Agnes Irene Hudnall in Northumberland County, Va., she attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse. As a young woman, she moved to Baltimore and entered domestic service as a cook's helper, nanny, cook and companion. She retired more than 35 years ago as a housekeeper.
"She was joyous and fiercely independent," said her cousin, Frank M. Conaway, clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. "Agnes credited her longevity to a healthy diet, vigorous exercise, hard work and a love of her church. Even in her late 80s, she would turn down offers of help and paint the rooms in her house herself."
She was a member of the Pulaski Street Community Improvement Association, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Association of Supporters for Provident Hospital.
"One of her proudest moments was when she went to the polls to cast her vote for the first black president," said Mr. Conaway.
Mrs. Smith resided at 2100 Pulaski St. and Clifton Avenue for more than 55 years. At age 99, she moved to the Bon Secours Senior Apartments and at 102 she relocated to Catonsville Commons Nursing Home.
Mrs. Smith was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters from the Eastern Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, Va., in 2005.
Funeral services were held July 31 at Sharon Baptist Church, where she was a deacon, usher, board member and member of the kitchen ministry.
Survivors include seven grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Smith had been married to Elbert Charles. They had a son, Elbert Charles Smith Jr., and a daughter, Margarette Smith Hill, both of whom are deceased. She later married Jacob Smith. They were married for 45 years until his death in 1975.
jacques.kelly@baltsun.com
Text NEWS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun local news text alerts 
