A. Shirley Smith

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Shirley was born in Southampton, NY on August 19, 1927. She died on August 12, 2025. The youngest daughter of Mable Bunn Dyson and Charles McFarland Dyson, the granddaughter of Ada M. Bunn and James Gilbert Bunn; the great granddaughter of Caroline Cuffee Bunn and Russell Bunn (Russell Bunn was one of the men that perished in the wreck of the Circassian). Shirley's early years were spent in Shinnecock and then her family moved to Brooklyn, NY. She was educated at Public School 210, Franklin Lane High School and a short term at Brooklyn College.
On April 11, 1948, Shirley married Elmer Francis Smith, also of the Shinnecock Nation. They resided in their Shinnecock home, bordering Heady Creek. They became the proud parents of Michael Francis Smith, Steven Dyson Smith, Peter Elmer Smith, and Joseph Raymond Smith. Husband Elmer died, June 22, 1980. Son, Peter died, December 12, 2002 and son Steven died January 16, 2005. In Aug, 1981, Shirley retired from the N.Y. Telephone Company after 30 years of employment. Not one to be inactive, she was employed as Director of the Shinnecock Senior Nutrition Program, and ordained as Elder in the Shinnecock Presbyterian Church. She served as Junior Choir Director with her sister, Bernice. She also served as Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, Clerk of Session, member of Human Needs Committee, member of the Church Choir. Shirley also volunteered at the Southampton Hospital. Her last place of employment was at the Shinnecock Nation Cultural Center and Museum.
Shirley loved her family, church and community. She loved to travel, visiting across the U.S. to Washington, D.C., New Mexico, Arizona, California and several states between. Her travels took her to Canada, the Virgin Islands, England, Scotland and Australia. She often quoted her version of a popular saying "I've traveled east, I've traveled west, but my Shinnecock home is still the best!"
Shirley leaves to mourn, two sons, Michael and Joseph; four daughters-in-law, Ana, Diane, Lisa and Karen; sixteen grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren, goddaughter Denise Anderson in Australia, and a host of relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Shinnecock Presbyterian Church, PO BOX 5006, Southampton, NY 11969 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of A., please visit our Tree Store.