Emma D.B. Smith

Dr. Emma Drucilla Breedlove Smith, 80, of Ettrick, Va., departed this life on Jan. 5, 2012, at Southside Regional Medical Center in the company of her daughter and son.

Dr. Smith was born on Dec. 24, 1931, to Annie Kate and Rev. Willie Booker Breedlove in Whitmill, Va. She was the youngest of their six children. Her early education was at Whitmill Elementary School and at Southside High School where she was known to be not only beautiful but also brilliant. She received the bachelor's degree in 1954 and the Master of Science degree in 1955, both in mathematics from Virginia State College (now University). In 1973, she earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree in mathematics education from Indiana University.

In 1952, while an undergraduate at Virginia State College (now University), Dr. Smith was initiated into the Alpha Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Later she was an active member of the Petersburg Alumnae Chapter and served as its vice president from 1980 to 1982. She also served on several of the chapter's committees, including the scholarship committee and the Miss Delta Girl Pageant planning committee.

During Dr. Smith's first faculty position at South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, S.C., she met then Army Captain James Wesley Smith. They were married on Dec. 20, 1956, and subsequently returned to Ettrick, Va., and built a life together until James' death. They were the parents of two children, Sonya and James Jr. (Jai).

Dr. Smith was a trailblazer in higher education, especially for African-American women. The majority of her academic career was spent as a professor of mathematics at Virginia State University. She was very active in the mathematics department, including committee assignments and service as interim department chair in 1969.Her activities also extended into the national arena, and for many years she served as the VSU campus representative for the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). She encouraged her students to participate in national and regional professional society conferences and traveled extensively with them to present research papers in the MAA's annual MATHFEST. She was also active in the National Technical Association (NTA) and each year carried students to their annual regional meeting at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. She was a past president of the VSU Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa and a charter member of the Virginia Alpha Chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon Honorary Mathematics Society. Dr. Smith also served as president of Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society and was instrumental in establishing the VSU Chapter of Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society in Education.

Dr. Smith retired from Virginia State University in 2003 after 39 years of dedicated service. She spent a total of 47 years as a mathematics educator in five states including: South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Missouri. She was honored at the VSU Commencement Convocation in 2003 with the Distinguished Professor Emeritus Status Award. Dr. Smith's accomplishments were also recognized nationally and in August of 2004 she was honored at the MAA Annual MATHFEST Silver and Gold Banquet for her silver anniversary of membership. She was very proud of this award and traveled to the banquet in Providence, R.I., to receive her silver anniversary pin.

Dr. Smith was a phenomenal role model and an excellent mentor. She had a gift for recognizing and for developing talent in others. She encouraged many of her students and family members to begin or to continue their education. Many ultimately obtained Ph.D., J.D., M.D, and M.B.A. degrees. She was always available for consultation, to write a letter of recommendation, or to help in any other way that she could. She valued education and firmly believed in the opportunities it provided for maximizing one's potential.

Her work in the community included serving as president of the Ettrick Elementary School PTA and vice president for the Matoaca District of the Chesterfield County PTA Council. She enjoyed art, theater, crossword puzzles, and lectures on many topics — especially those related to mathematics. But above all, she thrived on mentoring friends and family members to realize their dreams. Dr. Smith's strength and fortitude sustained her through many challenges and she was an inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Dr. Emma Drucilla Breedlove Smith was predeceased by her husband, Dr. James W. Smith Sr.; sister, Harriet Milner; brothers, Andrew J. Breedlove of Connecticut, Lawson Breedlove of Virginia, and Willie Booker Breedlove Jr. of Illinois; and nephews, Thomas Breedlove, and Booker Breedlove (Rhonda Herndon), all of Virginia.

Her devoted survivors include: her daughter, Dr. Sonya T. Smith of Virginia, and her son, James W. Smith Jr. of Virginia; brother, Vincent Breedlove (Maudestine) of Virginia; cousins, Lille Isler (Haywood) and Everlena Ross (Larry); brother-in-law, Arthur Smith (Mildred) of Maryland; nephews, James T. Breedlove, Esq. of Connecticut and DeMaurice F. Smith Esq. (Karen) of Maryland; cousins, Lille Isler (Haywood) and Everlena Ross (Larry); lifelong friends, Walter and Barbara Elias of Virginia. Additional survivors include: nephews; Harold Breedlove (Valerie) of Zimbabwe, Vincent Breedlove, Jr. of Virginia, Vaughn Breedlove of Virginia, Hisham Breedlove of Washington, D.C., Carlton Breedlove (Sophronia) of Illinois, Walter Breedlove of Virginia, and Elbert Smith (Kimberly) of Alabama, Edward Smith Jr. of Virginia; nieces, Brenda Carter (William) of Virginia, Elaine Breedlove of Virginia, Joyce Dickerson of Virginia, Marva Gray (Timothy) of Washington, D.C., Kamil Breedlove of Washington, D.C., Alya Soloman (Hassan) of Maryland, Valerie Ferguson of Virginia, Daphne Lynette Smith of Virginia, Cheryl Smith (Michael); brothers-in-law, Rev. Willard Smith (Gerden) of Virginia, Edward Smith (Mary) of Virginia, Alonzo Smith (Doreatha) of Virginia; sisters-in-law, Helen Stackhouse (William) of Virginia , Barbara Ward (William), of Virginia, Leola Motely of Maryland, Flossie Jones (Lloyd) of North Carolina, Naomi Mathis of Maryland, Nadie Gunn of Virginia, Mary Josie Gravley of Maryland; and a host of great-nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

A funeral service for Dr. Emma B. Smith will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, at Zion Baptist Church, 225 Byrne St., Petersburg, Va., the Rev. Dr. Andrew J. White Sr., pastor emeritus, eulogist. A funeral service will also be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, at Hopel Chapel Baptist Church, 4129 Dry Fork Road, Dry Fork, Va. Interment to follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, at the funeral establishment.

Honorary and active pallbearers are asked to assemble 10:30 a.m. at the church.

The family will assemble 10 a.m. at 3400 North St., Ettick, Va., the day of the services.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Dr. Smith at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va., 804-732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.