Neighbors remember slain woman as an 'inspiration'

Her name was Vanzella Smith.

But many of her neighbors, including Falisha Kay Bridges, knew her as 'Mother Van.'

Washington police found Smith, 83, slain in the bedroom 9:15 a.m. Sunday in her Maple Terrace apartment.

'When you were down and out, she would lift your spirit,' said Bridges, who has known Smith for six years and considered her like a mother after her biological mother died.

Bridges, 41, said yesterday many of the residents in the Maple Terrace housing complex were upset by the killing of a woman who advised others and attended church regularly.

'She was a beautiful person,' Bridges said. 'She loved everyone she was my inspiration.'

Bridges said Smith must have known her assailant since she was careful not to let strangers into her apartment and it was odd that nothing was touched or missing at victim's apartment.

'She had to know the person,' Bridges said. 'You had to call. She didn't let you in unless you know her.'

The last time Bridges talked to Smith was at 9 p.m. Saturday. A neighbor of Smith's contacted the police when her apartment was quiet at 5 a.m. at the time she made her breakfast everyday, Bridges said.

Smith belonged to St. John's Baptist Church in Lawrence, Cecil Township, and left faithfully to go to church no later 11 a.m. in her Ford Crown Victoria.

Washington County Coroner Tim Warco determined that Smith died of trauma to the head and the manner of death was homicide.

There was no sign of a break-in, said Lt. Robert Redlinger, adding that police have no suspects in the case.

Paul Nutcher can be reached at pnutcher@tribweb.com or at (412) 306-4535.