Victoria Emily Smalls Wells, 86, Kensington High School teacher
She worked with migrants in her native South Carolina.
VICTORIA EMILY Smalls came to Philadelphia from her native South Carolina in 1964 to attend the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Boule. It was a fateful visit.
She met a handsome man named Howard Wells, who escorted her to the sorority's ball. It was, as the saying goes, love at first sight. They were married on June 12, 1965.
Victoria left a career as a teacher and activist in Charleston, S.C., where she taught home economics in two high schools and worked with migrant workers, who came to the state in large numbers every year to work in the fields and orchards.
They needed everything: health care, education, good nutrition. Moved by their plight, Victoria became the assistant health director for the state's Migrant Workers Program, where she taught classes in health and nutrition.
In her adopted home of Philadelphia, Victoria became a leader in the Get Set Day Care Program, and a highly regarded home economics teacher at Kensington High School. She retired as chairwoman of the school's Home Economics Department after 41 years of teaching.
Victoria Emily Smalls Wells, as she became after marrying Howard Wells, died Feb. 3 at age 86. She was born the second child of Walter H. Smalls Sr. and the former Lovie Ophelia Brown, in Charleston. She attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School and graduated from the Avery Institute in Charleston.
She received her bachelor's degree in home economics from South Carolina State College. She later received a master's degree from New York University.
Shortly after her marriage in Philadelphia, Victoria was hired as supervisor of food services for the Get Set Day Care Program. Her responsibilities included conducting training workshops for the staff and securing equipment for 100 Get Set classes.
Victoria was very much involved with the Presbyterian Church throughout her life, starting in South Carolina. In Philadelphia, she became a member of the Germantown Community Presbyterian Church.
Through the years, she served as Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, Church School superintendent, deacon, chairwoman of the Deacon Board, Clerk of Sessions, mission coordinator of Presbyterian Women and for 13 years, director of the Hand Bell Choir.
She was a member of the Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
She served on the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, evaluating high schools in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Victoria was honored by the Northwest Interfaith Movement and the Get Set Day Care Program. She received honorary life membership from the Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church.
Besides her husband, she is survived by a sister, Isabelle Taylor, and a brother, Walter Smalls.
Services: Were Wednesday.
Donations may be made to Germantown Community Presbyterian Church, 6141 Greene St., Philadelphia, 19144.