Hilda R. Waugh

Hilda Rose (Smoot) Waugh was a loving Mother and Nana. She was born in Madison, West Virginia on January 10, 1944, to Cyril and Grace Smoot. It was in this small rural town that Hilda learned lessons of faith, kindness and respect, and values that followed her through life. Being a country girl was a badge that she proudly echoed to anyone that would listen. It was not uncommon to hear the tales of her walking for miles on a railroad track, hiking through the mountains and giggling with her friends and relatives.

Hilda was a fixture at Sunday school and church when she was a child. She accepted Jesus Christ at an early age. This early upbringing continued when she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. She was married to Andrew Waugh Sr. and had a toddler and a baby. She was very active in her Christian journey, and she loved working for Jesus. She was a faithful member of Israel Baptist Missionary Church for 40 years under the leadership of Dr. Nathaniel Young, where she was a member of the choir, usher, secretary and daycare director. Years later her Christian journey continued when she joined the Soul-Winning Church of God, under the leadership of Pastor David A. Cunningham Sr. She loved her church home.

During her life Hilda continued the country-girl instincts by incessantly working in her yard, planting and taking care of plants. It was almost like flowers knew she was coming and waited for her conversation. When the work was done, Hilda would pause and then sit in her rocking chair on the front porch. She loved sitting on her front porch rocking in her chair. But there was another side to Hilda and that was the love of music. In her early days in the country, she was known for singing songs out loud for others to hear, and later in high school she won a talent show. Hilda was also in the marching band. She loved gospel music and singing in the choir. However, it would be remiss not to mention her love for the elements Earth, Wind, and Fire.

for 35 years where she began as a surgical technician and retired as Assistant Director of Central Services in 2001. It was ironic that Hilda worked for the medical field because later in life she had several illnesses that required hospitalization. But she knew what was going on and sometimes she would refer to herself as a bionic woman and would proclaim in the end that God always saw her through many procedures and surgeries.

One of the simple things that Hilda loved the most was attending the three-day Smoot family reunion in Madison West Virginia. The reunion has been held annually for over nine decades. It is to be noted that the place where the reunion is held is across the small river from where Hilda was born. So, in addition to seeing her relatives and childhood friends, Hilda went home almost every year.

Hilda loved her family dearly and fought to the end for earthly life to remain here through God’s grace and mercy. She is preceded in death by her parents Cyril and Grace Smoot, her 8 siblings, Cyril Walter Smoot Jr., Viola Watkins, Melvin Smoot, Mary Crider, Virginia Saunders, Kenneth Smoot, Harlan Smoot, and Evelyn Crider.

She leaves to cherish her memories, son Andrew Waugh Jr., daughter Kimberly Gary, grandson Christopher Waugh, granddaughters Ciara Waugh and Gracie Gary, friend Andrew Waugh Sr., son-in-Law Robert Gary Jr., bonus son Rolland Keith Mitchell, bonus daughter Darlene Walton, and a host of nieces and nephews.

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