On the evening of September 27, 2023, God sent for his angel, Valla Lee Lafayette of Charleston, SC. Valla was the daughter of the late Benjamin Smith and Estelle Morris, born on July 3, 1933, in Philadelphia, PA. She was preceded in death by her daughter Gwendolyn Lafayette.

At two years old, Valla and her family relocated to Harlem, NY, to support her father's career as a well-known musician. Valla was educated in the New York public schools and graduated from Washington Ervin High School. She continued her post-secondary education and completed a bachelor’s degree. She also received a master's in human services and worked in management with Kinship Foster Care Services for over 20 years. She also provided support to the families in the prison system.

After retiring in 1998, she relocated to Charleston, SC, and served throughout the community with various organizations. She volunteered for many schools in the local area and served as a board member for multiple non-profit and civic organizations. She was a foster care grandparent and an active Wesley United Methodist Church member.

She loved reading mystery books, crocheting, and traveling in her free time. She traveled to many places, including Ghana, South Africa, Hawaii, and others. She recently relocated to Greenville, SC, to live with her daughter, who helped care for her.

Those who love, miss, and will forever cherish her are her six children: Fidelia Lafayette of Charleston, SC; Emery Lafayette of Hawaii; Brandy Lafayette of Brunswick, GA; Brendon (Eva) Lafayette of Charleston, SC; Branett Lafayette of Greenville, SC, an David (Taresa) Lafayette of Charleston, SC; a sister, Arnetta Duncan of Las Vegas, NV; eleven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, two great-great children, and host of other family and friends.

Floyd Family Funeral Home is responsible for all arrangements. Funeral services are on Saturday, October 7, at noon at the Floyd Family Funeral Home Chapel at 202 Caroline Street, Laurens, SC 29360. Visitation is Friday afternoon, October 6, from noon until 5 pm at the funeral home. Reverend Larry Chapman of St. Paul Baptist Church is the officiating minister.