Mr. Pharaoh Haynes Smith

Pharaoh (Pha) Haynes Smith

August 23, 1939 – December 29, 2025

Pharaoh (Pha) Haynes Smith was born on August 23, 1939 in Hartselle, Alabama. Pharaoh was the first child of William and Maggie Lee Smith. He was born in the home of his maternal grandparents, Archie and Luselle Haynes. As Hartselle was the ancestral home of both of his parents' families, he grew up under the watchful eyes and loving care of a large family. Throughout his life, Pharaoh always claimed to be kin to everyone he met from Morgan County, and in most instances, it was true.

Pha enjoyed a happy childhood. It was the segregated South, but the close-knit black Hartselle community kept him and his peers covered in love. The church and the school were the center of social life. Pha attended Mt. Pleasant CME Church where he was baptized at thirteen. He was well educated by the dedicated teachers in the Morgan County Training School. He was the football team quarterback, nicknamed "Skeet" for being small in stature with a strong arm and quick legs. As an adult, "Skeet" traveled far, but always carried Hartselle in his heart.

In 1957, Pharaoh graduated from high school and joined the United States Air Force, following in the footsteps of his uncles and first cousins. He relished his years in the military and served in several European conflicts and Vietnam. Pharaoh and his "Nam" buddies have stayed in touch throughout their lives. He loved to entertain with his endless war stories.

Pharaoh completed his honorable service to the military in 1968. He settled in Cleveland, Ohio to attend college on the GI Bill. There he reconnected with his twin brothers, Gary and Cary, his aunt, cousins, lifelong best friend Ardia, and extended family who had migrated from the South. Those were happy and productive years. He graduated from Cuyahoga Community College and attended Cleveland State University. Pharaoh fell in love with Mydell Brown and they married in 1969. His sons, Michael and Akil were born there.

Pharaoh and his family moved to Huntsville, Alabama in 1980. There, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning at Alabama A&M University. He found purposeful employment at AAMU as the Director of Graduate and Undergraduate Co-Op Education. He placed hundreds of students in career positions and kept in touch with many of them. Pharaoh's promotion to Dean of Students was the job of his lifetime. He loved being an advocate and strong influence for all the students he could. He claimed them all as "my kids" and they loved him as "Dean."

Pharaoh remained in esteemed service to the Alabama A&M community until his retirement in 2008. He and Mydell moved to Atlanta to be near their sons and grandchildren. Retirement was busy and enjoyable. They helped raise their grandchildren and traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad. They enjoyed new friendships and activities at North Springs United Methodist Church and the Dorothy Benson Senior Center in Sandy Springs. Pharaoh also made frequent visits back to his beloved Hartselle and enjoyed being among his family.

Pharaoh's charismatic personality remained with him through his stay at Harmony at Douglasville. People were always drawn to him, and his love for people shined through the darkness. He enjoyed dancing and listening to music, especially old school jazz. Even as his health and memory began to fail, his love for his family remained bright and alive.

Pharaoh Haynes Smith leaves to mourn his death, yet rejoice in his life, Mydell, his wife of 58 years; his sons Michael (Melissa), and Akil (Valerie); grandchildren, Michael Jr., Nathaniel, and Maxine; great-grandchild, Landon; brother Cary (Anne); brother-in-law, Marvin; his nieces and nephews, Velena, Mellanee, Victor, Rodney, Kyle, Brian, and Jerome; his AAMU "kids"; and his beloved family and friends in Hartselle, Cleveland, Huntsville, and Greater Atlanta.

Preceding him in death are his parents, William and Maggie Lee; his brother, Gary; sisters-in-law Brenda and Florence; his nephew Erik; his life-long friend Ardia (Ardy); and many other family and friends.

Graveside service for Mr. Pharaoh (Pha) Haynes Smith will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, January 10, 2026 at the Hartselle Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery (700 Mountain View Road, Hartselle, AL 35640) with Reverend C. Omarr Evans, Sr. officiating.

There will be no public viewing.

The Smith family will receive guests from 4:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Friday, January 9, 2026 at the Royal Chapel of Memories.