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Sally Smisson Obituary
Williams Smisson
APRIL 25, 1927 - MARCH 11, 2013
Raleigh
Sally Hall Williams Smisson died on March 11.
The daughter of the late Robert E. ("Fleet") Williams and Anna Strong Williams, she was born in Raleigh in 1927 and lived there most of her life. She graduated from Broughton High School and from Duke University, Phi Beta Kappa.
After graduating from Duke, she worked several years as a radio continuity writer in Raleigh and Chattanooga. After her four boys were older, she taught English at Broughton High School for 26 years until 1990, including time as the chairperson of the English Department.
She is survived by her sons, Claiborne Battle Smisson, Fleet Williams Smisson, Peyton Hall Smisson, and Taylor Howard Smisson, and also Taylor's wife, Mariko Smisson, and daughter, Megumi Tanimoto Smisson.
A private graveside service is being held for family members. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to an educational charity or institution.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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Sponsored by anonymous.
Chrystal Fray
April 27, 2024
I often quote Mrs Smisson, one of my favorite teachers at Broughton High School. She said "you do so many things, but do you do them all WELL?" Whenever I am overwhelmed, I think of those words, and I work to prioritize my activities.
A charming anachronism Class of 1973
April 13, 2013
I have always considered Mrs. Smisson to be one of my very best teachers. Her influence stretched far beyond teaching me how to think, write, and find endless joy in the English language. Simply put, her Sophomore English class was the benchmark against which I evaluated every teacher and every class I subsequently experienced, all the way through law school. She profoundly shaped my life, as a student and now as a parent, by demonstrating what educational excellence truly means.
Long ago, in her inimitable way, she described me by the name I sign in closing. It still brings a smile to my face. She was a great lady.
My prayers are with you.
Anne Fitzgerald
March 24, 2013
To the sons of Sally Smisson - I thank my lucky stars to have had your mother as one of the finest teachers I ever had in my life. I cherished my relationship with her. May she rest in peace. Sincerely - Anne Fitzgerald, NBHS Class of 1982
Andraedese (Jones) Mallette
March 22, 2013
Mrs. Smisson touched the lives of so many. She taught me how to put my thoughts into poetic forms in poetry class and she made the Enlgish language come alive. She will be missed.
Elizabeth Hudson Willingham
March 16, 2013
My thoughts are with all of Mrs. Smisson's family. I learned so much in her creative writing class and as an editor of Winged Words, and she inspired my love for both reading and writing poetry.
Virginia Beaty Clear
March 16, 2013
Mrs. Smisson achieved something her predecessor, Mrs. Peacock, also achieved at Broughton: the everlasting admiration and respect of a generation of students. I will never forget her enthusiasm for language and teaching.
Taylor Metz
March 15, 2013
I share with many who have commented fond memories of Sophomore English. But Ms. Smisson also introduced me to my husband, Cade Metz. When he was president of Winged Words, and I was just joining she introduced us by saying, "Cade, what you did with Whitman, Tay did with Edna St. Vincent Millay." We named our oldest daughter Millay. I hope my girls have a teacher as inspiring as Ms. Smisson.
Chris Crew
March 15, 2013
Sally Smisson was one the finest teachers and the best English teacher I ever had. She represents a formative influence in my life, and I have profited by that association. My prayers are with her family. Rest in peace, dear lady.
Chris Crew, NBHS Class of 1981
Mary Burr Edwards
March 15, 2013
"Mrs. Smisson" was such a special lady and a teacher I will always remember. She had such a kind face, that you knew she cared. I also loved her sense of humor and different sayings such as "you look mighty dapper" to some of the boys. She also impressed me so much with the years she faithfully walked the Cameron Park neighborhood in her big sun hat, despite all the hills. She will always be an inspiration.
Mary Burr Edwards
Polly Mitchell-Guthrie
March 15, 2013
I owe my indelible knowledge of Greek mythology, Bloom's Taxonomy, love of vocabulary, and what skills I have in writing to Sally Smisson. I enjoyed her so much in sophomore English I took her creative writing class twice and was a teacher's assistant. She nurtured our leadership in Winged Words and was a kind, caring person. What a treasure that has been lost.
March 15, 2013
My mother Lois Carson worked at Broughton with Mrs. Smisson. I grew up running in the halls on teacher workdays and she was always sweet to me. You all have my deepest sypathies.
Judson Carson
Harrison Murray
March 14, 2013
I use a word from Mrs. Smisson's 10th grade english class every day! She was one of the "special" people that made my years at Broughton memorable. I have thought of her many, many, MANY times since I left BHS and know I will continue to think of her in the years ahead.
Kimberly Kellison
March 14, 2013
I learned about Mrs. Smisson's death via Facebook and was touched by the comments from many members of the class of 1985 about her amazing talents as a teacher. She left an indelible impact on her students. We were lucky to have had the chance to learn from her.
Artemis S Newman
March 14, 2013
I was very fortunate to have had your mother as my finest English teacher at Broughton. She inspired in me a love for writing and literature. She had high expectations, yet she was compassionate and always had encouraging words too.
Class of 1982.
Ellen Bassett
March 14, 2013
Sally Smisson was one of my favorite teachers and I have thought of her often throughout my life! I am so thankful to have the opportunity to tell you all, her family, how much she meant to me and to all of her BHS students.
March 14, 2013
Mrs. Smisson was a significant presence for me during my four years at Broughton High School, as an English teacher and a supporter of adolescent poetry via the fabulous Winged Word publication. She was a favorite of mine, for sure! Meg Korte Harris, NBHS Class of 1987
Christopher Vice
March 14, 2013
My very sincere condolences to the Smisson family. After 30 years, I can still hear Mrs. Smisson call me out by my last name. I was often in trouble in her class but I was always enchanted by her intellect and wonderful humor.
In her students, she cultivated curiosity about the world— ancient and contemporary. She inspired us to care about words and language and images. “Show, don't tell.” Occasionally, I'll come across a word that and think, ‘I know that because of Sally Smisson.'
She introduced me to literature that helped me make sense of myself in my world. I still have my copy of ‘The King Must Die.'
Like so many before and after me, I owe her a great debt of gratitude. What a wonderful lady!
Emily (Burns) Smith
March 14, 2013
My sympathies to the family. I had Mrs. Smisson for English at BHS in the late '70s. She was very special indeed. Strict but smart and so incredibly helpful. A lot of the vocabulary words she made us learn have helped me throughout my life. Glad to learn what a long life she had.
Donna Strickland
March 14, 2013
Mrs. Smisson was a tough, direct, no nonsense, no excuses lady who was also sweet, thoughtful, kind and one of the best teachers I ever had. I had her for several different classes while I was at Broughton and was her teacher's assistant for 2 years. I still have, and use every year, the Christmas ornaments she brought me back from Japan.
To this day, if I use an uncommon word in a sentence my Mom will say, "that sounds like a Ms. Smisson word" (referring to the vocabulary lists she gave us).
I ran into her a few years ago the Fresh Market in Cameron Village (she was with one of her sons). She was frail but she seemed to know who I was. I'm thankful for that chance meeting. She left the world a better place in many small ways.
Prayers for comfort and strength for you all ... know that she was a very special lady and cherished by many.
Susan Pearson
March 14, 2013
I was never blessed to have Mrs. Smisson for English at Broughton, but never heard a bad word about her. The world is a sadder place without her in it. Prayers to the family during this time.
Pruitt Allen
March 14, 2013
My heartfelt sympathies to the family. I was fortunate enough to have Mrs. Smisson for English while at Broughton, and I still have fond memories of my time in her class. Her teaching abilities and love for her task and her students remain unsurpassed.
March 14, 2013
Dear Taylor, I am sorry to learn of your mother's death. She was such a kind and giving teacher. Her laugh was delightful. Please give your brothers and your wife and daughter our thoughts also. Love Noelle Stevens Browne/[email protected]
Betty Brandt Williamson
March 14, 2013
Taylor-
I am sorry for your loss. I saw your Mother at Mayview and enjoyed talking to her. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this said time.
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