Elsie Smith

On July 27, 1923, Elsie Mildred (Mallory) Smith was the oldest of three children born to Theodore R. and Bertha (Lewis) Mallory. She attended elementary and secondary school in her native Omaha, NE. In 1955, she graduated cum laude from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with her BA, going on to graduate with her MSW in1957 from Atlanta University. There she received the Jessie Smith Noye and John Haye Whitney Fellowships, completing an internship in psychiatric social work at the State University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa in 1958. As a professional, Elsie's accomplishments are noteworthy and extensive at the local, state, and national levels. Among them: a delegate representing the YWCA in Singapore(1954) and the International YWCA World Study Tour(1967); Social Worker of the Year in 1977 representing the Alabama NASW Chapter; Vice- President of the AL Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW, 1973-1975) and first black elected to serve in a state office of AAUW. In addition, she served for over twenty years at Tuskegee University (then Tuskegee Institute) in the capacity of Director of Special Programs: Special Services, Talent Search, and Upward Bound (1974-1989), and as Administrative Director of Tuskegee Mental Hygiene Clinic at Tuskegee Institute from 1961-1973. In her family, Elsie was known as a beloved wife, sister, aunt and cousin to many. We could always count on her to remember and acknowledge everyone's special occasions with beautiful and meaningful cards, and to send yearly sunshine in the form of tasty Florida grapefruits. And although never a mother, she nurtured her family throughout her lifetime and even as she was in declining health. Elsie is preceded in death by her loving husband, Dr. Courtney Junius Smith, Jr., and her brothers Milton and Ted Mallory. She leaves to mourn her passing her aunt, Edith Wright (Omaha); special friend, Juanita Pierce of Tuskegee; cousins: Norman Lewis and family (Ohio), Debra Cornelius of the Bahamas, Leonia (Omaha); Barbara (Omaha); nieces and nephews: Marsha Mallory-Bennett (Colorado), Julie Mallory Church (Arnold) (New Jersey), and Byron Mallory, Elsie Mallory, Vincent Mallory (Karen), Gail Mallory , Mark Mallory, Brian Mallory and Alan Mallory of Omaha, NE; along with a host of great nieces and nephews and friends. We are eternally grateful for God's gift to us through her 89 years of living and giving.

Service: 1/18/2013 at 2:00 PM - Peoples Funneral Home - 500 Fonville Street, 36083, in charge Washington Chapel A.M.E. Church - Denver, CO
Cemetery: Greenwood Cemetery - Tuskegee AL