Gerald L. Smith

Obituary for Gerald "Jerry" Lee Smith
On January 17, 2024, Gerald's journey on this earth ended following a short battle with cancer. Jerry was
born in Berkeley, CA, on January 3, 1944, and grew up in East Oakland, CA, graduating from Castlemont
High School in June 1961. After a short career working on the ports in Oakland as a Longshoreman, Jerry
enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1966 and was honorably discharged after four years of service
with travels as far away as England and Turkey.
After returning to the States, he earned his Associate's Degree from Oakland City College (now Merritt
College), followed by his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University – Hayward in
1974. While attending Merritt College, He met Martha Louise Criner and on July 17, 1971, the two were
married at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church in Oakland, CA. They remained in Oakland where Jerry worked
as a psychologist at the East Oakland Mental Health Clinic.
Upon his acceptance to the Human Ecology Graduate Program at Cornell University (later earning his
Master's Degree in Psychology there), he and Martha moved across the country in August of 1976 to
beautiful Ithaca, NY. After earning his Masters, he worked at the Elmira Psychiatric Center, and after
seven years there, he changed career paths and began working as an Admissions Counselor at Ithaca
College in 1997, retiring in 2020.
Retirement was gladly welcomed after 23 years at Ithaca College. His retirement years included
countless rounds of golf with his TTA Golf Group, going on many exciting cruises with friends, following
the ups and downs of the stock market, watching classic movies, listening to the oldies, casual bird
watching and maintaining the freshest lawn on Juniper Drive. He also spent many valuable hours
volunteering at Second Wind Cottages in Newfield as recently as this past summer.
LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL
Class of 1962
January 27, 2024
RESOLUTION
TO: The Family of the Late Bro. Gerald Lee Smith
No matter what your trials are, or how big your mountain seems;
The Lord is there to see you through; He'll go to all extremes.
So if your cross seems hard to bear, and you know not what to do;
The One who loves you most of all will be there to see you through
Though our hearts are sadden, we marvel the goodness and love of our Heavenly Father. He always sees, He
always knows and He willingly shows His care. Because of His unblemished goodness, we bow in meek
capitulation to Him who does no wrong.
WHEREAS, Death is for all. Think of it: Moses died, Abraham died, David died And Jesus Himself walked
through the cold jaws of death. Yet it is He Who assures us of a better life after death.
WHEREAS, That the presence of this soul that has been called will be missed by all of his loved ones
and friends who knew him. And that we draw closer together and ever treasure the memory of this life
among us.
RESOLVE, That we bow in humble submission to Him who is able to soothe all pains and lift every bowed
head.
RESOLVE, That we extend to the family our heartfelt sympathy and to look to the one who always sees
and knows the desires and aches of all people. HE, in time will remove all misery and make life a smooth
highway again. He is not dead; he's asleep and that we look forward to meeting him when our journey is
ended.
RESOLVE FURTHER, That a copy of this resolution be given to the family. May God Bless you and keep you
is our prayer.
Humbly Submitted:
Class of 1962
President, Robert Lee Davis
V. President, Rudie Galbert
Secretary, Murdis Sander
Jerry is survived by his wife of 52 years, Martha Louise Criner Smith; his brother and sister in Christ, Cal
and Glenda Walker; his golf buddy and brother, Art Hardison; his daughter, Maya Smith of Atlanta, and
his sons Lloyd Smith of Ithaca and Etienne Johnson (Hashanda and kids Etienne Jr., Khyrihan,Tion and
Eashan) of Ithaca; his nieces and nephews Marlon Walker (Kristen and son Miles); Kimberlee Walker and
Eric Walker (Tiffany – G-pop to their sons Dominic and Andre); his Brothers in Holy Arms (Cal, Aloja, and
Claude); his Saturday Sages Prayer Group (Barry, Cal, Chuck, David, Johnnie, Richard R. and Richard M.);
and his brother Roger B. Smith of Okinawa, Japan. He is predeceased by parents John B. and Viola K.
Smith and sister Marilyn Edwards of San Leandro, CA.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Second Wind Cottages. A link can be found below.
Service details being finalized and will be available soon.