Sad news from Jenni Ovenstone Smith

[viviennehess]

Jenni asked me to share her sad news and ask for lots of prayers for Andrew, Jenni and Pepper her husband.
I received a text from her today. Her husband Pepper died suddenly in bed Wednesday night-Thursday morning.
Memorial is Saturday at 2pm at St John's Episcopal.

Im hoping to change my work schedule So i can attend the funeral for support.
If you want her address I can give that information to you as well.
We are truly blessed and this is just one of those huge reminders to hug and tell each other how much we love one another.
God bless and wish you all a healthy and happy 2018. Anything we can do to suppprt Jenni in the New Year im sure would be much appreciated.

Vivienne 703-608-1916

[Allison Cotilla]

Such sad news.  That is awful. Thank you for passing this along.  I don’t know if I can make it to the memorial, but I would like her address so I can send something.

If anyone would like to go in on something for her I’d be up for that too.

Thanks!

Allison

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On Dec 31, 2017, at 4:38 PM, viviennehess <vivien...@comcast.net> wrote:

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[Jhonna]

My heart breaks for Jenni, Andrew and their entire family. I’ll be praying hard for all of them. Thanks Vivienne for for passing along this sad sad news. I am going to try to make the services on Saturday. My niece and Andrew are in the same class together at St. John’s, I can ask my brother if they are making donations in Pepper’s honor.

I would like to send Jenni and Andrew something as well. I’d be willing to go in together too. Thoughts or ideas? Maybe a gift card for Jenni and Andrew to do something special together or a restaurant?

Should we start a meal train? Or help babysit Andrew?

Prayers for a happy, healthy, and safe 2018 to you all!

[Shelley Shen]

Hi all,

I'm not a member of the Episcopal church, but being on a mailing list I received an email saying that Elizabeth Beekman is coordinating care for Jenni following the loss of her husband Pepper.  Ms. Beekman's email address is ebee...@comcast.net.  Before making or sending a meal, I suggest contacting Elizabeth Beekman. 

I'm so sad after hearing Jenni's husband passed away I've been uncertain on what to do.  My heart goes out to her and Andrew. 

I like the idea of a group sponsored gift card.  I know at least in the past Jenni and Andrew have loved to play games together as she recommended a great one from Walmart to me, but I'm not close enough with Jenni to know where else she shops.   

I also plan to attend the memorial service on Saturday.  If anyone wants to carpool over from my house, I live only about 10 minutes from the Episcopal church. 

Shelley

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[viviennehess]

Thanks for info Jhonna. Then we don't need to bother Jenni with all the questions.
I'm interested in going in on something and meal train , babysitting etc.
this could be any of us. So sad.
Viv

[Meredith Hochman]

Such sad news!  I would love her address to send her a card.  I am happy to also go in on something or get in on any other support the group does for her and Andrew.

Meredith

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[Kerry Manning]

That is so awful! Poor Jenni and Andrew.  I would also like to go in on anything the group does. 

Kerry

On Tue, Jan 2, 2018 at 12:04 PM Meredith Hochman <mtho...@gmail.com> wrote:

Such sad news!  I would love her address to send her a card.  I am happy to also go in on something or get in on any other support the group does for her and Andrew.

Meredith

On Mon, Jan 1, 2018 at 5:09 PM, viviennehess <vivien...@comcast.net> wrote:

Thanks for info Jhonna. Then we don't need to bother Jenni with all the questions.
I'm interested in going in on something and meal train , babysitting etc.
this could be any of us. So sad.
Viv

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[Allison Cotilla]

I just sent an email to Elizabeth Beekman, as suggested by Shelley, to see if she has any suggestions for something to do for Jenni.  I will let you guys  know what she says.

Allison

On Tue, Jan 2, 2018 at 12:40 PM, Kerry Manning <kam...@gmail.com> wrote:

That is so awful! Poor Jenni and Andrew.  I would also like to go in on anything the group does. 

Kerry

On Tue, Jan 2, 2018 at 12:04 PM Meredith Hochman <mtho...@gmail.com> wrote:

Such sad news!  I would love her address to send her a card.  I am happy to also go in on something or get in on any other support the group does for her and Andrew.

Meredith

On Mon, Jan 1, 2018 at 5:09 PM, viviennehess <vivien...@comcast.net> wrote:

Thanks for info Jhonna. Then we don't need to bother Jenni with all the questions.
I'm interested in going in on something and meal train , babysitting etc.
this could be any of us. So sad.
Viv

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[Kerry Manning]

Vivienne- I see you said you had her address. Do you mind posting it here? Looks like several of us want to send cards. Thanks!

On Tue, Jan 2, 2018 at 12:49 PM Allison Cotilla <allison...@gmail.com> wrote:

I just sent an email to Elizabeth Beekman, as suggested by Shelley, to see if she has any suggestions for something to do for Jenni.  I will let you guys  know what she says.

Allison

On Tue, Jan 2, 2018 at 12:40 PM, Kerry Manning <kam...@gmail.com> wrote:

That is so awful! Poor Jenni and Andrew.  I would also like to go in on anything the group does. 

Kerry

On Tue, Jan 2, 2018 at 12:04 PM Meredith Hochman <mtho...@gmail.com> wrote:

Such sad news!  I would love her address to send her a card.  I am happy to also go in on something or get in on any other support the group does for her and Andrew.

Meredith

On Mon, Jan 1, 2018 at 5:09 PM, viviennehess <vivien...@comcast.net> wrote:

Thanks for info Jhonna. Then we don't need to bother Jenni with all the questions.
I'm interested in going in on something and meal train , babysitting etc.
this could be any of us. So sad.
Viv

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[viviennehess]

Here Is her address. She said she is staying at her moms right now, but im sure she will get her mail . I changed work schedule so I can go on Saturday. I'm willing to carpool or meet anyone who can make it at the funeral to support Jenni and Andrew. You all rock !

3501 North Chatham Rd
Ellicott City MD 21042
United States

[Shelley Shen]

Viv, Jhonna, and anyone else who might like to carpool to the service on Saturday,

We can meet at my house and ride over to the church together as I suspect parking will be limited.  I'm actually 5 minutes to the church based on Google maps (although I usually allow 10). Do we know what time the service will be?

Smiles,

Shelley

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------

From: viviennehess <vivien...@comcast.net>

Date: 1/3/18 12:57 AM (GMT-05:00)

To: Moms Support Group <moms-supp...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: Sad news from Jenni Ovenstone Smith

[Viv's Comcast Email]

Yes carpool from your place sounds good. Service Sat at 2p

[Shelley Shen]

Thank you Viv for giving me the start time!

For those who want to carpool, should we meet at my house at 1:15 and then go over?  Another friend of mine who attends the church, Dani Davis Ord, may also be joining us.

Allison, I just learned St. John's Episcopal church is collecting funds for Andrew's 529 plan.  Did Elisabeth Beekman send you anything about this?

[Adkodys]

I will join you. 

[Jhonna]

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Obituary
Sidney Lamar "Pepper" Smith Iii
1964 - 2017
Sidney Lamar Smith III

1964-2017

Ellicott City, MD

Sidney Lamar Smith III, husband, father, poet, and Artist Communities Specialist at the National Endowment for the Arts, died on Thursday, December 28, of a sudden illness at home in Ellicott City, MD. Smith, known to all as "Pepper," was 53.

Born in Oxford, MS, and raised in Gulfport, MS, he grew up surrounded by a culture that valued art, storytelling, music, and a rich spiritual life. Those early influences, along with his generous spirit, made Pepper a beloved friend to many. Along with his wife Jenni, he devoted himself to enriching the lives of others. He is remembered for his kindness, curiosity, quirky wit, creativity, and astonishingly varied pursuits.

His wide range of interests began in childhood playing mid-fielder for Gulfport High's inaugural soccer team and serving as a riflery instructor to emerging twelve-year-old gun enthusiasts at Alpine Camp despite never shooting a gun before. He earned degrees in English from Millsaps College and Journalism from Ole Miss. During college, his entrepreneurial spirit was sparked founding the Pepper Tie Company, whose upscale neckties briefly graced the most fashionable men's stores in the South as well as Barneys New York. He traveled the Southeast covering gospel music as co-editor of The Center for the Study of Southern Culture's Rejoice! magazine and traveled farther doing missionary work in Honduras and China; soaking up culture and working odd jobs in Paris and Brussels; and serving in the Peace Corps in Szechuan, China, where he earned extra money by sitting in the window of a local tea shop whose owner thought the sight of a Westerner would entice customers.

Although never one to seek out the spotlight, Pepper was known to pop up in unexpected places: performing gospel music on the Mornin' with Buddy and Kay TV show in north Mississippi and acting as a colorful impromptu public access TV host for the Corinth, MS, homecoming parade. Most recently, he could be found mentoring numerous young people in Al Anon programs; meeting regularly with his poetry group; actively publishing short stories and poems; and advising aspiring performers in his role at the National Endowment for the Arts.

His faith drove a deep sense of social justice, often using his gift for language to shed light on these matters. As faculty advisor to Mississippi College's student newspaper, he fought the school's attempted censorship of articles critical of a scandal-ridden benefactor. Even his master's thesis addressed the racial inequities in newspaper coverage of the civil rights movement.

Throughout all of these endeavors, Pepper continually sought out ways to encourage and connect people. Through emails and handwritten letters of support, he knew exactly what to say to inspire. Using his own personal algorithms, he found joy in exposing friends and colleagues to new things particularly suited to their tastes, whether a recommendation concerning a little-known restaurant or a new book or movie. He also delighted in introducing people to others. He saw such good in his friends that when he made these connections, they involved lavish praise of both parties. As one friend put it, "An introduction by Pepper made you feel so special. You always aspired to be the person Pepper saw you to be."

Pepper met his wife, Jenni Ovenstone, at church in Alexandria, VA. As a couple, they were united in their devotion to serving others, and Pepper was an unwavering admirer of Jenni's ministerial talents and compassion. They both were dedicated to raising their son Andrew, who enjoyed Pepper's singular sense of humor, in particular, the twin hand puppets Romulus and Remus, who debated the day's current events during bath time.

He is survived by his wife, the Reverend Jennifer Ovenstone Smith, and his son, Andrew Austin Ovenstone Smith, of Ellicott City, MD; his mother, Jane Ray "Jeepsie" Smith, of Taylor, MS; a brother, Austin Fentress Ray Smith, of New York City; and a sister, Eliza Lyle Brighton; brother-in-law, Darby Harrison Brighton; nephew, Fentress Welch Morgan; and nieces, Blakely Ann Brighton and Addison Reyce Brighton, of Little Rock, AR.

Services will be held on January 6 at 2 p.m. at St John's Episcopal Church in Ellicott City, MD, and on January 27 at 2 p.m. in Oxford, MS. Location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Andrew's education fund in honor of Pepper. Please send donations by check to St. John's Episcopal Church, attn. Andrew's Education Fund, 9120 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 20142. Checks should be made payable to "Maryland College Investment Plan."
Published in The Sun Herald on Jan. 4, 2018
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[Jhonna]

I just copied the obituary, I wasn’t sure if the link would work.

I like the 529 donation idea, I plan to send a check to the church.

I’m not sure if I can carpool, Jenna has. Friend’s birthday party and I need to work out childcare for Brooks. I’ll keep you posted. Thanks!

[viviennehess]

Thanks for sending more info . I'll send a check too

[Shelley Shen]

A heads up to those still able to carpool, the brakes on my car are unreliable as of this morning (I have an appointment to figure what's wrong with them on Tuesday), but you are still welcome to meet up at my house and I'm hoping I can ride with someone.   My address is 9720 Cypressmede Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21042. I suggest arriving at my house no later than 1:15 p.m.

I'm expecting to see Viv and Andrea and maybe Jhonna.  Anyone else planning to carpool?

Smiles,

Shelley

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------

From: Jhonna <jhon...@hotmail.com>

Date: 1/3/18 9:48 PM (GMT-05:00)

To: Moms Support Group <moms-supp...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: Sad news from Jenni Ovenstone Smith

[Jhonna]

Kerry and I are going to drive together, since we live so close and go straight to the church since I’ll be in a rush from dropping Brooks off at my parent’s. If you get there first could you save us 2 seats? If not, no worries! thanks!

[Allison Cotilla]

I can’t make it today bc I have the kids, but please give her my well wishes.  I think I’ll plan to organize a meal train once she’s back home and the outpouring of help from everyone has gone down, so she’ll still have some support.

Allison 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 5, 2018, at 9:44 PM, Jhonna <jhon...@hotmail.com> wrote:

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Kerry and I are going to drive together, since we live so close and go straight to the church since I’ll be in a rush from dropping Brooks off at my parent’s. If you get there first could you save us 2 seats? If not, no worries! thanks!

[viviennehess]

Sounds good Allison
Shelley we can use our minivan

Viv

[Jhonna]

Hey ladies, I have been thinking about making a meal for Jenni and Andrew or doing something to help out. Does anyone have her friend’s email that was arranging meals? I called the church and left a message too. If I hear anything I will post it.

Also she might want some company or a night out soon. Let’s think about planning something in a few weeks or after spring break.

Thanks!