Melinda A. Smith

1956 - 2023

MELINDA ALLENE SMITH, a resident of Hartford, died Sunday, November 26, 2023 at John J Kane Regional Center in Pittsburgh, PA after a prolonged illness. Born October 20, 1956, she attended public and parochial schools in Hartford before enrolling at Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, NC, the nation's first Black preparatory school and Boylan Haven Mather Academy in Camden, SC, another prestigious African American private school. Upon graduating in 1974, she matriculated at the University of Hartford. After a 31-year hiatus, Melinda resumed her studies at Capital Community College where she was very engaged. She was known to all for being courageous, motivational, tenacious and civic-minded. Melinda was predeceased by her mother Vina M. Smith. She was a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and is survived by cousins Mark and Michael (Thennie) Rhue of Pittsburgh. PA, Leslie Pickens (Eugene) of Alexandria, VA, Kelsey Reese (Alicia) Pickens of Collierville, TN, Todd Pickens of Hartford, and their respective families. Memorial Services will be held at New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 222 Barbour Street, Hartford, CT 06120 on Friday, January 12 at 11 a.m.