Vivian Clipp

1924 - 2025

Vivian Smith Clipp, 100, of Frederick, Maryland, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2025, at Frederick Health Hospital. Vivian had been a resident at Homewood in Frederick, where she spent the last two years of her life. During that challenging time, she had many special friends and staff members who gave her much support. Special activities were a real treat for Vivian, especially Bingo, Sittercise and various exciting games that were challenging and rewarding to her and many of the other residents.

Vivian is survived by her daughter Linda Smith Pruitt-Michielli, Patrick J. Michielli, his son, Brendan Michielli, her granddaughters, Mary Pruitt Gutmann, Julie Pruitt Poyhonen, and her 7 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Charles Bishop Pruitt, her parents, Allen and Mildred Smith of Woodsboro, brother Allen R. "Jimmy" Smith Jr., her first husband Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Charles Pruitt, USN, retired, and late husband Charles C. Clipp. Vivian is a descendant of Lt. Colonel Joseph Woods, a soldier of the Revolutionary War and founder of Woodsboro.

Vivian was born to the late Allen R. Smith and Mildred Fortenberry Smith in her grandfather, Dr. George F. Smith's home in Woodsboro, MD on August 7, 1924.

Vivian attended elementary and high school in Frederick County and graduated from Frederick High School in the celebrated class of 1942. Vivian had a beautiful voice and while in high school, she was very excited to be chosen to sing with an ensemble at the Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ. "Vivi" was extremely proud of this honor!

Later at the University of Maryland, College Park, she was nominated for Mortar Board, a Women's Honorary Society, and was on the Dean's List for outstanding academic achievement and was President of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority.

She met and married Dr. Charles Eugene Pruitt "Doc" on June 26, 1944. They traveled coast to coast, living in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Arcata, California. "Doc" served in the Pacific Arena in the US Navy in WWII. He later was on the first aircraft carrier USS Chenango, as a naval flight surgeon to enter Japan after the atomic bomb had been dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

During the war years, Vivian returned to Maryland from California to give birth to their son Charles Bishop Pruitt. During the war, she waited for weeks at a time to receive mail. She raised "Little Charlie" alternately between the Pruitt's home in Frederick and her parents' home in Woodsboro, until Doc returned home months later. In 1947, the couple settled in Brunswick, MD, as there was a real need for a general practitioner at the time. Vivian and Doc worked feverishly together to start the practice. They loved the people there and made quick lifelong friends.

While living in Brunswick, Vivian gave birth to their daughter Linda Smith Pruitt. The family then moved from their residence in downtown Brunswick to Knoxville and later settled in Rosemont just outside of Brunswick. Vivian was a dedicated wife, mother and community supporter. She was involved in the PTA, the Women's Auxiliary at Frederick Memorial Hospital, and Grace Episcopal Church. Later she taught second grade at Middletown Elementary and Thurmont Elementary Schools.

Vivian spent many of her summers in Atlantic City, NJ. Her parents, grandparents and cousins enjoyed their summer trips there. They made a point to attend the Miss America Pageant and judging each year. Vivian later learned to love playing the slots in Atlantic City and enjoyed those big wins or "200 free spins" on penny machines when they frequently came along. Inevitably she would get those free spins right when it was time for lunch or dinner, and food would have to wait!!!

In the late 1960's, Vivian moved to Frederick, MD and met and married, a charming and dashing man, Charles C. Clipp. The two settled in Frederick where she continued to teach and support his voluntary efforts at the American Legion and Elks Club. She made lifelong friends with many of the wonderful people she met while attending functions with those dedicated to community service and the needs of our veterans.

Vivian may have seen America with her first husband, but she saw the world with her best friend and daughter Linda. Vivian and Linda shared impromptu trips to many European and Caribbean destinations...taking in the world, the people, their respective cultures. They also shared laughs and stories at many of the local Frederick restaurants and enjoyed everyone they met along the way! One could not help being captivated by Vivian, Viv, Vivi! Miss Vivian!

Vivian began working as a secretary of the Rosebud Perfume Company, Inc. when she left her teaching career. Upon the death of her brother, Allen R. Smith, Jr., she became manager, later the President of the company, the very same company that was started by her grandfather, Dr. George F. Smith, the formulating pharmacist who developed and patented Smith's Rosebud Salve in 1895, and later formulated Menthol & Eucalyptus Balm (formerly Tholene). When she became manager of the business, she worked with small brochure orders, then later with larger wholesale and retail orders and arrangements. In the early 2000's, the business experienced unprecedented growth and product expansion, invigorated by new retail giants, and international interest stimulated by the makeup artists in New York City. People coming "in and out" of the big cities throughout the world brought the Rosebud Salve and other flag ship products to their homeland, near and far.

Vivian is eternally immortalized on, "Smith's Brambleberry Rose", one of the many new formulations developed for newness for Sephora. The tin is a boutique piece accented by the image of Vivian from 1947, taken by a photographer who discovered her beauty while she was on an outing in Baltimore, MD.

Vivian's burial will be private, and a celebration of Vivian's life will be announced at a later date.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on her "tribute wall" at www.hartzlerfuneralhome.com Vivan Clipp