Thomas Stephen Smoot

Thomas Stephen Smoot of Glen Burnie, MD, passed away in the hands of the Lord on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. He was born March 31, 1932, to the late Julia Ann (Lyles) and Robert George Smoot in the Bel Alton community of Charles County, Maryland.

Affectionately known as "Smoot," Thomas was the second of 10 children born into a family of sharecroppers during the Great Depression. He spent his earliest years on multiple farms throughout Charles and Anne Arundel County. He attended a one-room schoolhouse in Anne Arundel, later continuing his education at Bates High School in Annapolis and Carver Vocational-Technical High School in Baltimore City.

A U.S. Army veteran, Thomas served in a transportation company battalion during the Korean War. On January 6, 1955, he married Doris Anne Robinson at Calvary Baptist Church in Baltimore. Their membership in Calvary predated the church's move to its original Biddle Street home and later relocation to Garrison Boulevard. Together, Thomas and Doris created a church-centered, family-focused six-decade marriage.

Baptized at Calvary in 1956, Thomas faithfully supported the church over many years, serving as an usher, finance recorder, trustee, and deacon. As the building and maintenance coordinator, he led numerous church renovation projects. He was also a founding member of the Garrison Restorative Action Community and Empowerment (GRACE) Board, a nonprofit neighborhood reinvestment program.

Throughout his life, Thomas exhibited an aptitude for problem solving and technical ability, fixing anything from small appliances to cars. He attended night school and was among the first African Americans employed as an electronics technician at Westinghouse Defense Electronics Company (later Northrop Grumman).

In his spare time, he helped operate the family-owned Smoot's Place restaurant in Baltimore and enjoyed traveling, photography, communicating via CB radio, and playing the harmonica and organ.

A respected leader and steadfast friend and advisor to many, Smoot leaves to cherish his memory his four sons, Stephen, Sterling (Lucy), Stanley (Darylle), and Scott; one daughter, Stacey; a niece he helped raise, Angie; 12 grandchildren; four great-grands; one sister, Shirley Anne Johnson; three brothers, Nathaniel (Audrey), Anthony (Geraldine), and Victor; a godson, Pastor Darron Johnson; many beloved nieces and nephews; and a host of treasured relatives and friends.