Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home

Visitation from 11a.m. 1p.m.

Friday, July 22, 2016:

Wayman AME Church

Visitation beginning at 10a.m.

Homegoing Service will begin at 11a.m.

Chicago, Illinois – Portia Adele Smith, 36, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep on Thursday, July 14, 2016. She was born in Racine on February 1, 1980, the daughter of Pamela Smith and Arlander Graham. Portia came to faith as a teenager. She attended school in Racine, received her GED in Illinois and went on to advance her education and skills by attending Gateway Technical College in accounting; and esthetics at the AVEDA Institute, and the G Skin & Beauty Institute.

Portia moved to Chicago IL in 2011 to work in the hospitality and promotions industry. She was a talented and well-known server and professional. Portia was creative, enjoyed fashions and costume design, and loved the travel and training opportunities that were afforded to her through her career. She was a loving mother to her daughter Naomi, and was most happy when the two of them were together. Her second love and passion was connecting and networking with her friends in Racine and Chicago.

Portia is survived by her beloved daughter, Naomi Lewis of Racine; her mother, Pamela Smith of Racine; aunts and uncles Zennetta Harvey of Racine, Valencia Harvey of Washington D.C., Thomas (Donna) Harvey of Dallas, Texas, and Dave Minor of Ripon; cousins Jonathan Smith, Dathan (Maryori) Edwards, Aaron (Jennifer) Minor, Ellis (Emilee) Minor, Isaac Minor, Kaela Harvey and Tyler Harvey; grandfather Edward Willis; godmothers Carol Bostick and Victoria Price; and many other Cotton Family relatives and friends.  Portia was preceded in death by her father, Arlander Alexander Graham of East St. Louis, IL; grandmother, Flora Willis; uncles Michael L. Smith and Zenda Harvey Jr; and aunt Janet Minor.

Homegoing celebration services will be held at the Wayman AME Church (424 Memorial Drive) at 11 a.m. on Friday July 22, 2016 with Reverend Ernest J. N'iA officiating. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday the 21st from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and then again in the church beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday.