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William Smith Obituary
He attended Virginia Union University for two years and left to serve in the United States Air Force. This decision enabled him to not only serve our country, but also to accumulate money to help put his sister, Florence, through college. He returned to Virginia Union to complete his studies and then went on to obtain his Juris Doctorate from the Howard University School of Law.
Al lived and served most of his life in the City of Hampton, where he began his law career in 1958. Al was also lovingly known as "Lawyer Smith" and "Bro Al." Determined to make a difference after experiencing racial segregation and prejudice, "Lawyer Smith" spent over 37 years in the practice of law, defending and arguing on behalf of laws which entitle every person to their civil rights and fair treatment under the law. His landmark case was in 1963, when he helped three black nurses sue to achieve justice when the Hampton Training School for Nurses required blacks to eat in the basement, excluding them from a 700-seat cafeteria that had been built with federal and state funds. Al also served numerous church communities and charitable institutions. He was co-founder of the Citizen's Boys Club, that is now part of the Hampton Roads Boys and Girls Club.
A deeply spiritual and religious man, Al spent his time outside of the courtroom, as well as in his retirement years, sharing his love of God through many ministries including prayer groups, bible study groups hosted at his home, prison visits and ministry. Ever the learner, Al recently expanded his ministry to include sharing the word via email and on the radio. An avid reader, historian and traveler, Al delighted in digging into the history of his family and of African-Americans in general. He toured many historical venues around the United States as part of his "history pilgrimage." He was also very blessed to travel to Africa and to Jerusalem. He called his journey to "the Holy Land" one of the greatest blessings of his life.
He leaves behind his wife, Marilyn; his children, Howard K. Smith (Coretha of Atlanta), Miriam S. Stevens (Hampton), Hope Alyssa Smith (Hampton), Holly Alycia Smith (Chapel Hill, N.C.); two grandsons, Lionel Dominique Stevens and Cameron Wesley Smith; his siblings, Benjamin O. Smith Jr. (Melisande), Florence Smith (Frank deceased), Thomas F. Smith (Carol), and Sherman Smith (Carmen); as well as beloved nieces, nephews, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ.
Viewing will be from noon to 4 p.m. today, Dec. 27, 2011, at Ronald C. Perkins Funeral Home, 251 W. Queen Street in Hampton, and at New Life Church from 9 to 10: 45 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28 2011. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, at New Life Church, 1525 Power Plant Parkway, Hampton, VA 23669-3629. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery (Maury St., Richmond) on Dec. 29, 2011.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Ronald C. Perkins Funeral Home. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Smith
Khalid Raza
January 5, 2012
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Sorry to hear the loss.
Former Legal Secretary/Administrative Clerk/Law Clerk
Paula McGowan Smith
January 2, 2012
Lawyer Smith you attempted to groom me as a paralegal/law clerk. I was trained to do your leg work and to process several workloads unsupervised. You were a great teacher and an impeccable Lawyer. If only I had followed in your footsteps. The 15 years I worked for you until your retirement was rewarding. You shall be sorely missed by me.
Former Legal Secretary/Administrative Secretary
Paula McGowan Smith
January 2, 2012
Fred Allen
December 31, 2011
In 1959 Al Smith took his first case which was me(at age 8). I was a young brash child that had never seen a place as cold as Va. and he calmed me. Now some 50yrs later I have loved Uncle Al as he has loved 4 generations of my family. I read his biblical text every monday that he'd send me via email.He has inspired me to have a wonderful life, influenced my wife, son (his wife)and my grand-daughter. To my parents, he's just another member of the family and hung out there. I have so many grand thoughts of him and just how he supported me in my 24yrs in Law Enforcement. I will always think of him as I read his notes......
Derrick Whitley
December 30, 2011
Miriam I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. We will keep you and your family in our prayers through these difficult times.
hampton
December 29, 2011
He was a close friend to our family. We thank God for the time and inspiration he gave us. Our prayers to his family. The Hampton family.
LILLIE ROBINSON-HARDING
December 29, 2011
THANK YOU " LAWYER SMITH" for all you have done for the citizens of the city of Hampton....for the citizens of the state of Virginia....and for the citizens of the entire country....your life's work has touched mankind all over the world!...May our Heavenly Father greet you with open arms and hold you close forever more.THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, AMEN!
Big Daddy
December 29, 2011
I met "Al" September of 2005; since that time we have become very good friends. I have shared some things with him and his advice has been very rewarding. He has given me support with my sobriety and is a "Father" figure as well. I am missing him and continue to deal with his loss; but I know where he is and he is now our "Guardian Angel"
Hope Ward
December 28, 2011
When Dr. Milton Reid died, (my uncle) Bro. Al told me that he was glad we met; and he felt like my uncle. To continue nurturing in the ways of the Lord.
May God bless the family richly.
Thomas Gallo
December 28, 2011
My thoughts and prayers go out to Al's family. As a fellow attorney, I always regarded Al as a true gentleman, who exuded class and honesty, in everything that he did.
Tom Gallo
December 28, 2011
To the family of "Al" Smith and to the family of Aunt Kate Smith Wright, Richmaond VA. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Love
Jim and Mary McDougald
Elder Paul Jones & Family
December 28, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
KaShauna Spratley
December 28, 2011
My prayers are with the family and friends of Lawyer Smith. Thank you for your words of encouragement, and the part you have played into molding me into the person I am today. You will be greatly missed!
Carolyn Mann
December 28, 2011
"No one really dies as long as there is someone left who remembers. And when there is no one left who remembers; it really doesn't matter because we will all be together again."
I fell in love with Lawyer Smith when he began his practice on N. King Street above Boyd's Drugstore in Hampton. My Sister and dear Friend Celestine Whitfield Taylor was his secretary. I visited the office frequently--pregnant and needing support. Lawyer Smith took me under his wings. He became my Father, Friend, Mentor and Supporter. He continued to provide love and support to my daughter Tracye and her family.
Thank You Lawyer Smith!!
Vanessa Brinkley
December 28, 2011
“In time, the heart heals, leaving us with memories.” I pray the memories of your Father help to soothe your spirit and warm your heart. I have known Mr. Smith over twenty years, in many ways he changed our world for the better. To the Smith Family, with deepest sympathy!
Pastor Del Halfacre
December 28, 2011
Family, you all have our deepest love, prayers and empathy. God knows and will strengthen you all. Keep your faith in God and continue in love, God Bless You All!
deborah johns moir
December 28, 2011
to my classmate howard & his family, may the good memories and love of family & friends comfort you as you celebrate the life of your dad.
deborah johns moir
hampton class '83
george & Margaret Watson
December 28, 2011
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
Rev Dr. John Turner
December 27, 2011
Bro Al whom I met and became friends since 1989 attending the WTJZ Prayer Breakfast and we became friends instantly which was not hard and in our conversation Bro Al mentioned he played trumpet and one of my friends found a trumpet in the trash can at Langeley AFB Hampton and it was given to me and I cleaned it up and thereby passed it on to Bro Al and we shared many duets together. After relocating to the North Carolina area and upon visits to the Hampton He rendered logding durinf my stay there and I am grateful to Bro Al and I was deeply hurt and we have lost a dear friend and truly a Gentlemen. I will missed him. Praying mightiely for the family and know that earth has no sorry that heaven can not heal. Time heals yet the memories linger.
Chauncey E. Mann, Jr.
December 27, 2011
Al and I met when I was Pres. of the local NAACP. Thanks to Al we were a great team. My most fervent regards to the family. One could never find such worderful support as given by Al. When I say Al was my soul brother. It is an understatement. Richmond greatest gift to us. Love Rev. Dr. Chauncey E. Mann, Jr.
Paula McGowan Smith
December 27, 2011
Deep heartfelt sympathy to the family of Lawyer Smith. Lawyer Smith was the most kind hearted person I have met in my life. I was a part of Mr. Smith's Secretarial Staff and the law firm of Walker, Smith and Felton. We often shared e-mails to keep in touch. He will be sorely missed and my prayers are with the family. He was an asset to me and my family in my career for well over a decade. May He rest in peace. The Smith and Spratley Families
Stacey L. Proctor
December 27, 2011
When peace like a River attended my way when sorrows like sea billows roll whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say it is well it is well with my soul. Pa Smith you were my friend, and my mentor. I will miss your thunderous laughter, and your boisterous voice.
Jacqueline Snow
December 27, 2011
Marilyn, you all have our deepest love, prayers and empathy. God knows and will strengthen you all. Keep your faith in God and continue in love, God Bless You All!
December 27, 2011
To the Family of our Classmate, William Alfred "Al" Smith - Armstrong High School 1947- you have our sincere sympathy and love. Al was always supportive and positive in keeping our fond memories and friendships alive. We will surely miss him. Our Class Proclamation will be presented at the Services. Willie Williams, III, Armstrong High School, Richmond, VA, 1947 Class Reunion Chairman
Joseph Blake
December 27, 2011
I had the extreme pleasure of traveling with Brother Al to Egypt where we visited Aswan, cruised down the Nile, and fended off aggressive vendors at every turn. Through it all this man carried himself with the kind of respect and dignity that made you want to love, and be close to him at all times. I will miss him, just as I know he will be missed by people the family never knew he touched, but touch them he did. From Cairo, to California to Philadelphia, Pa, we share your grief and loss.
Havannah Morton
December 27, 2011
Howard, Coretha, Cameron and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. You mean so much to me, and my family as you did so much to us during our time of loss. May God continue to bless you and yours.
Love,
Michelle Beverly
December 27, 2011
To Attorney Smith's family, my heart goes out to you all and I want you to know that Attorney Smith was the best lawyer there will ever be in the City of Hampton, Va and for that much any where he would have gone to practice. His integrity and his way of telling you just how it is was appreciated by me and I am sure many others. It is double sad for me, because I lost my mom the same day as you all lost Atty. Smith, however I know that both of them know the Lord, and what better two people to go home together. Please know that he was a wonderful man and a man of God for sure.
Elzenia Sorrell
December 27, 2011
Miriam and Lionel,
The more I learn about Lawyer Smith the more I am filled with sadness and joy. Sadness because this world no longer has access to such a great, godly man. Joy because in his 80 years of life he clearly accomplished in fine fashion all that God had assigned his hands to do and this world is so much better off because of it. My prayers continue to be with you as you celebrate his life on earth and his new life in heaven.
Lovingly,
Elzenia Sorrell
Joan Robinson-Alford
December 27, 2011
My dear friend Miriam,
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. Thank you for introducing me to this kind Giant of a man. My personal experience has me in AWE of our Father.....who else could be so wise, knowing we would need MEMORIES. I took it lightly until I lost my Dad. The days ahead may appear lonely, some DARK, but God our Father is always near. Reflect upon your wonderful MEMORIES, at first you may experience only tears, that's cool, let them flow, in Gods time, they will become tears of joy and laughter. He is the perfect Healer. I love you friend, Lionel and You are continually in my prayers. Blessings and Peace!
Eric Johnson, Major, USA, retired
December 27, 2011
Our Father greeted Mr. Smith with open arms and said "Well done my faithful servant" My these sentiments comfort you during this most difficult time. Mr. Smith was a member of Wine St Baptist Church later to be named 3rd Baptist Church. All along this journey he was active in the church on legal and spiritual matters. He was a friend to many and one of those angels that God places in your life. I got to see it first hand as a tot and now later as a man. How blessed was I to have his guidance and care.
Very Respectfully,
Robin Welch
December 27, 2011
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Smith. He was such a nice man to work with and such a gentleman.
GEORGE& ODESSA RUSHING
December 27, 2011
TO THE SMITH FAMILY WE GIVE OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND LOVE. THE RUSHING FAMILY.
December 27, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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