Trimelle Proctor, born Jan 25, 1973 in Richmond, VA, gained her heavenly wings on March 16, 2022. She chose not to let her illness define her, stayed steadfast in her faith until the very end and slipped away peacefully with her mother by her side.

A Henrico County School graduate, Trimelle attended J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College where she was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society.

At an early age, Trimelle accepted Christ into her life and was an active member at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Montpelier, VA. She was passionate about serving and studying scripture, and was honored to be a Deaconess, Usher, and occasionally taught Sunday School. Trimelle was a very spiritual servant with a kindred spirit, and would often recite her favorite scripture, Jeremiah 29:11.

Trimelle loved moments of serenity and peace and would often travel to the mountains in the fall to capture the beauty of the leaves changing, enjoyed visiting wineries, and enjoyed spending time at a quaint Bed and Breakfasts. She was also an avid reader, spending many weekends immersed in a good book, and enjoyed her quiet time to decompress by playing games online.

She worked in Human Resources her entire career as it aligned with her passion to help people and serve others. Trimelle (called Trae by team members) was employed with the Department of Human Resource Management, Office of Health Benefit, as a Retirement Benefits Manager. She would work long days and nights performing her job duties as well as spending countless hours helping employees who did not understand their retirement eligibility, or how planning worked. She also worked in HR at Lowe’s Companies, Inc., and with the City of Richmond. She found it rewarding to help others, and her commitment was unmatched. Just two weeks before her death, she was telling her manager that if anyone needed anything, they were welcome to call her. Sickness did not change her love and compassion to help others, and her co-workers spoke fondly of her kind spirit, her ability to make others laugh, and her gentleness.

Friends and family would describe Trimelle (also called Mel) as having a magnetic personality. If you met her, you would like her. She was a stickler for detail and a perfectionist. She was able to show love without effort and would always lead by example.

In her final days, when asked what she was most proud of, she replied, “just tell them I was patient with those who did not understand, especially the elderly.” Near the end, she would also say “I just want to slip away,” and she did, leaving behind a life well lived.

Leaving to cherish her memory are her devoted mother and stepfather, Gale and Hayes Smith, her brother, Steven Smith, all of Glen Allen, VA, and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her aunt Antionette, whom she lovingly referred to as Lucy, held a special place in her heart. She was preceded in death by the love of her life who she looked forward to joining in heaven, her “grammy”, Kate Mae Houchens, and other relatives.