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Marva Smith Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Marva Smith
Shannon M. Walker
August 23, 2024
I'm sitting at my desk, and my students ask me who is my all time favorite teacher. Without any hesitation, I said, "Marva E. Smith." She was absolutely fabulous. She was definitely one of the most intelligent people I have ever met in my life. While I was in her anatomy and physiology classes, she often said that if you can speak it and explain it, then you know it. I can still see her standing in front of the class teaching with such confidence. She knew her content, and she knew how to have the students understand the material. While I was pursuing my BSN, I can remember so many times connecting the dots with what I learned in A&P to the concepts and theory that were taught in nursing. It came easy to me because Ms. Smith enabled me to envision what she taught. She just had a way of teaching with a certain level of sophistication. As a teacher today, I really believe that I carry myself in a certain way to emulate Ms. Smith and her professionalism. Thanks a million! I am forever appreciative, My All Time Favorite Teacher!!!
Clara Cebrun
May 9, 2021
Incredible teacher. Totally professional and kind hearted. Greatly influenced me. With much honor will always remember Marva Collins wit much esteem and respect.
Donna Maria Forbes
September 1, 2020
Good person excellent dedicated teacher the best of the best
Donna Maria Forbes
September 1, 2020
Iloved Ms Smith passion for teaching she taught me at Dillard zoology she is a good model of what a teacher should be and was may she rest in peace good person excellent teacher Donna Nassau Bahamas
shalonta frank
February 19, 2008
I am just finding out about the recent passing of a magnificant woman.I had ms. smith for anatomy and physiology during my time at dillard. She was the most exceptional professor i've ever met. She was patient, extremely intelligent, and really enjoyed teaching students. I will truly miss her. She gave me the confidence and educational backgroung i needed to thrive in nursing school.I cannot thank her enough.She is an angel and will be truly missed.May she rest in peace, sweet angel"marva Smith".
Monekia Roque
February 16, 2008
Ms. Smith, Ms. Smith! God, thank you for lending her to us. She taught me more than I thought I could know. Blessing is the word that comes to mind when I think of her. My prayers go out to her family, friends, & students.
Sammi Jones
February 11, 2008
Dr. Smith was truly a blessing and an inspiration in my life. I met Dr. Smith in the summer of 1982 as a participant in HCOP at D.U., I can say Dr. Smith encouraged me to strive for greatness in whatever I did . God bless Dr. Smith's family during their time of sorrow; but always know she inspired many during her tenure at Dillard University.
kianna cureaux
February 9, 2008
Dr. Smith taught me A&P. She was very stern, persistent, and challenging in her teaching. She instilled within me the morals and values that make me who I am today. I appreciated her patience and tolerance, for she had more confidence in me than I had in myself. I am proud to say that I am the product of a great and exceptional teacher/woman. She will be missed but NEVER forgotten.
Shontel Ruth
February 3, 2008
To The Family of Dr. Marva Smith
Known to many around Dillard's Campus as "Marvelous Marva". Dr.Smith was a wonderfoul Genetics teacher and she will be greatly missed.
May God comfort the family of Dr. Smith during their time of bereavement
M. Payne
February 1, 2008
Job well done as a teacher, professionl, and friend! Thanks for all the great times and the wonderful moments listening to great music. A friend who will be truly miss you.
Adrienne Lewis
January 31, 2008
Never have I met a person so enthusiastic about teaching and passionate towards students. Thanks Ms. Smith for giving me that inspiration to learn more than enough. My prayers go out to the family of Ms. Smith and the Dillard
Family. Thanks for sharing her with us.
Aisha Hemphill
January 30, 2008
Dr. Smith was a person who truly left a lasting impression. Fellow Dillard classmates and I always talk about Dr. Smith and her dedication to her students (to this date.)She will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Deepest Sympathies to her family, friends, and students.
Kalan Barthelemy
January 30, 2008
Dr. Smith was my A&P professor at Dillard and she was indeed very patient but challenging. Her strength and wisdom taught me that nothing was impossible and that knowledge and disipline could take me anywhere I wanted to go. The direction and choice was mine. I thank her for being such a positive influence when I was at Dillard. She will truly be missed by all.
Dr. Karen L. Johnson
January 29, 2008
Dr. Marva Smith was one of the greatest inspirations for my success of entering as well as completion of Pharmacy school. I attended her Anatomy & Physiology classes at Dillard University and enjoyed her teachings to the utmost. She was always firm, fair and truly involved with making sure her students were thoroughly prepared!!! I will never forget that corner office of hers at Dillard University where you could smell her perfume as you walked up the stairway!! She will be a great loss to the world of successful education!!!
Carra Sergeant, LPC; NBCC; Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
January 29, 2008
Like many others, Dr. Smith was instrumental in helping develop my love of science. Although I did not remain in the field, I will ALWAYS remember my class with Dr. Marva Smith. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE!
Emma Yarbrough-Miles
January 28, 2008
Marva Smith was an excellent A&P teacher. She definitely challenged you and made sure that you were knowledgeable on every level. I thank her for her instruction because now I make sure my students know everything about science. My sympathies go out to the family.
Renee Jenkins
January 28, 2008
Dr. Marva Smith was an excellent professor and encouraged all of her students to strive and do their best. She will be missed.
Renee Jenkins
Shylah Merrick
January 28, 2008
To the Smith family: The passing of Dr. Smith fills so many with sorrow because she filled so many with knowledge, empowerment and love. I will never forget her and the impact she made upon my own life, she was my mentor at Dillard and will always have a special place in my heart.
Darcel Gibson,RN(Class of 97)
January 28, 2008
Ms.Smith was the best A&P professor. She truly loved what she did. She was a very challenging instructor, but it was all to bring out the best in her students. She will be dearly missed. May god bless her family.
BRENDA CRUSTO
January 27, 2008
HI IM BRENDA CRUSTO AND ATTENTED GRAMMER SCHOOL WITH MS. SMITH. WE WERE CHILD HOOD FRIENDS.SHE WILL BE MISSED AND NEVER FORGOTTEN:)
Juda Doughty
January 27, 2008
I knew Marva for a short time when she and I were in Bible Study together at First Baptist Church of New Orleans. She always had insightful, thought-provoking ideas to add. Whenever I saw her outside of the class, she was kind, smiling and steady.
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Leslie D. Braud
January 27, 2008
To Marva's family,
I will always remember the good times that my sister Gail and I had growing up with Marva and family. Those were the good old days. We would laugh and sing songs on her porch and just act silly. Marva grew up to be a fine and well respected woman and she will be truly missed. Well she is now in Heaven and in the arms of our Heavenly Father. I'm extending my sympathy and love to all. God bless.
erlinda (saint) delos santos-weathersby
January 27, 2008
marva smith made our a & p class not only challenging but enjoyable! she would always compare joint articulations with the soul train dancers! as a dedicated educator, mentor and friend of all students, she will be greatly missed. erlinda delos santos (saint) weathersby
Laila Lateef
January 26, 2008
What can I say about Ms. Marva Smith. She was such an inspiration for me when I was a student at Dillard. She allowed me to understand and enjoy Anatomy & Physiology. She was a brilliant, patient and very understanding person. I will miss her very much. May God bless her and her family
L. Lateef - DU Class of 1998.
Angela (Smith) Josiah PharmD Class'03
January 26, 2008
Ms. Smith was an excellent instructor she exhibited such joy and excitement in each of her lectures. She possessed an astounding wealth of knowledge and was an excellent orator. I learned so much from her and revered her as one of the best professors at Dillard. She truly will be missed.
Eloise Cushenberry
January 26, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Shalonda (Williams) Scott
January 26, 2008
Ms. Smith was so instrumental in my achievements at Dillard, I couldn't even begin to list them all. I met her my Freshman year, but I must say that her reputation proceeded our meeting. Although she had a busy schedule, she took the time to mentor me with my own project. Even after my graduation from Dillard, I would still find myself saying, "Well Marva Smith would want it done this way." She definitely gets some of the credit for the success I have today.
I pray that the family of Ms. Smith is provided with comfort in this time of grief.
"To Ms. Smith and The Extraction, Digestion, and Isolation of Peppergrass using BamI and HindII"
Landril Smith-Brumfield
January 25, 2008
May God Bless, the family during this time. She was a wonderful dedicated teacher. Ms. Smith loved what she did, I will remember her for the love and passion she had for science.
Stacy Smith(Dillard University Class of 2004)
January 25, 2008
Ms. Smith was the greatest Biology professor at Dillard...period!! I will always remember her great lectures and her ability to say the right things to keep you going! She is the reason I became a Science teacher. May God Bless the Smith family!
Willie Gilford, MD
January 25, 2008
Dr. Smith was my first introduction to Dillard thru the Howard Hughes program. She has been a great influence on all who passed thru the Dillard Natural Science Department. She will be missed.
Celeste Bonton
January 25, 2008
I am also an alumnus of DU (class of 2002). Through the excellent guidance and teachings of Marva Smith, I was honored to have several of my students perform a genetics experiment for the local news station. Had it not been for her extraordinary teaching abilities, I would not have been able to do that. She was my advisor, in title, but was so much more than that to me. The Natural Sciences division has lost the most significant member of its staff with the passing of such a great person. My prayers go out to the family at this difficult time.
DARILYN PETERSON
January 25, 2008
To the Smith Family,
Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies. Marva Smith was my advisor, instructor,& inspiration. She was the best advisor a young college student so far away from home could ever hope for. She insisted that we give our best and for that I will always be thankful.
Darilyn Washington Peterson, PMP®
Alexander Paul, Jr.
January 25, 2008
Rest in peace, dear friend and classmate. Xavier University, class of 1964.
Trenice King
January 25, 2008
As a former student of Marva Smith, I can truly say she will be dearly missed.
Dionne Martin Lewis
January 25, 2008
To The Smith Family:
Dr. Smith was the first person I saw when entering Dillard in 1971. She paved the way for me to received an education as well as character. Dr. Smith follow my path until I graduated from Dillard in 1975. She was a great instructor that motivated her students to excel. Her legacy and those lives she touched will be greatly missed! Fair Dillard!
Cynthia Butler-Blucher (McIntyre)
January 25, 2008
My hope and prayer is that God will bring comfort and peace to the family of Marva Smith during this time of bereavement. I am among the many DU students whose life was touched by her. She will always be remembered and her legagcy continues in the work of students who learned so much from her. God bless and keep you!
L. Jackson
January 25, 2008
To Family & Friends of Marva Smith,
Marva was very instrumental in the Natural Science Div. at Dillard. As a student of hers' I found her to be very challenging and very knowledgeable. She has left a very positive legacy at Dillard.
Sharon
January 25, 2008
Ms. Smith's legacy will live on in the lives of those she touched. I am fortunate to have been touched by her as a Dillard student. I will never forget her high expectations and her willingness to help students achieve. God bless.
Allison Womack
January 25, 2008
I'm a proud alumnus of the Dillard University Class of 2005. I was originally a Biology major, and Ms. Smith was my advisor during that time. However, she continued to give me great advice and encouragement even when I changed my major to Chemistry. I remember passing by her office on the 3rd floor of Stern Hall, and there was always a throng of students, either just chatting with her about their futures, or getting tutoring (even in non-Biology courses, like Biochemistry). She was extremely brilliant, and wanted all of her students, all of Dillard's students to be the best also. It's wonderful that the knowledge she had is the only thing you can take with you when you leave this earthly life. May God bless her soul, and comfort her family, colleagues, and friends.
MAJOR Keith D. Washington, US Army Officer
January 25, 2008
We called her "Marvelous Marva Smith..." And trust me she lived up to that title and then some. She was always willing to talk to students and staff regardless as to what she had going on. Though I switched from Natural Science to Social Science she maintained active contact and mentoring with me and my career at Dillard. She will be sadly missed by all. We all loved her but God loved her best. She will now go and assist God in doing great work. This is a time to celebrate such a great life that touched so many so often. May she forever rest in peace! To God Be The Glory!
James Langie, Jr. Dr. PH.
January 25, 2008
I had the pleasure of being taught Ms. Smith and then coming back and working with her as an instructor in the Natural Sciences. She demanded much from her students pushing them higher and higher. She will be missed.
Qiana Maple
January 25, 2008
I feel so blessed to have been under her tutelage. She was so knowledgeable and so caring. Her passion for her field and the growth of her students as individuals was exhibited in every single lesson. She will be missed academically, personally and spiritually. May God grant all of us peace and comfort during this time of loss.
Riccardo Williams
January 25, 2008
To the Smith Family
"Earth has no sorrow, that heaven can not heal."
Ms. Smith’s biology and zoology classes were always challenging and filled with thought provoking questions. It was a constant struggle and steady push to stay even in her classes. But in the end, it was for the good. Many times I have talked about those classes to family and friends. Not only did I have this pleasure, but she also became a favorite teacher to one of my sons.
As a family we will remember you in our prayers, and remind you that “Weeping may endure for a night but joy will come in the morning.”
Sylvia W. Cobbs
January 25, 2008
Ms. Smith,
You were a great instructor. To this day my girlfriend and I remember days in your classroom at Dillard University. In fact we were speaking of you recently. May you rest in peace and know you that you were a fantastic instuctor and gave your all to your students. Rest in peace.
Courtney (White) Francis
January 25, 2008
I can truly say it was an honor and blessing to have Ms. Marva Smith as a professor. I will never forget her animated lectures and expressions. She was an excellent professor. She took pride in her job and she loved teaching.She will be greatly missed. My prayers are with the Smith family. May God Bless you and keep you in this time of bereavement.
Gloria M. Riley
January 25, 2008
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
Doris Mullins
January 24, 2008
As the mother of one of your students whom admired you, I would like to say to the family, thank you for allowing Marva to shine in my childs life. She will be missed by Maiya Mullins greatly.
Alecia Heffner
January 24, 2008
Ms. Smith's legacy will live on in my heart and at Fair Dillard. I clearly recall my last conversation with Ms. Smith she encouraged my descision for gradaute school and asked for a copy of my acceptance letter. As my instructor she provided a sense of reality for the challenges that would lie ahead in my current endeavor in graduate school. She definitely encouraged all of her students to reach their full potential and that success would never come before work. Also, she always made sure that we were prepared for the unexpected. Her questions would stimulate the mind and her extreme knowledge and passion for her field was an inspiration for whatever her students wanted to pursue. She believed in us. My heart and blessings go out to the mourning family.
Maiya Mullins
January 24, 2008
Ms. Smith was indeed one of the greatest instructors I have ever had. I learned so much more from ther than what was in black and white. Her knowledge surpassed what was written by what seemed to be leaps and bounds. She motivated me to be the best of the best and I will forever remember her for that. Ms. Smith never excepted anything less that what she KNEW we were capable of. The Smith family will be in my prayers.
Shambrica Johnson-Miller
January 24, 2008
As a former student of Ms Smith I can tell you she will be missed by all those who had the chance to experience her wondeful, animated lectures. Condolences to all those she left behind.
Rodrick Stevenson, M.D., F.A.C.S.
January 24, 2008
Marva Smith was an excellent teacher whose style of teaching impacted me greatly as I'm sure she impacted many others. She was hard but extremely fair and she had a way of bringing out very the best in students. What a tremendous loss for Dillard and the community at large. In all, she was simply "Marvalous"!!!
Christina Kelson
January 24, 2008
Ms. Smith was a wonderful person. I was one of her A&P students in 2004. she was a great teacher. She made sure you knew everything there was to know about the human body.
Renee Nichols-Langie
January 24, 2008
Marva Smith will truly be missed! She was the drving force that pushed her students like myself to go beyond the standard to reach our goals. It is a great lost to future students at Dillard who will not have the honor of having her to be apart of their driving force.
Ulah Row Lee
January 24, 2008
To the family:
Marva and I attended Joseph S. Clark High School together from 1956-1958. She was such a beautiful person. God bless your family.
Taronda Mitchell
January 24, 2008
Ms. Smith was my favorite instructor. She did not only teach me biology she gave me motivation to face my problems and to deal with school and life outside of school.She was such a sweet person and I am happy I got the privilege to know her. She will be greatly missed.
Develle Coleman
January 24, 2008
Ms. Smith was one of the greatest intructors I have had. We always said that she knew more than the author of the book. I had her for Anatomy and Physiology when attending Dillard. She surpassed intelligence when it came to that subject. I give credit to her for my successful career as a nurse educator today. She will truly be missed. May God bless you and strengthen you during this time.
Shirley Knight, M.D.
January 24, 2008
To the Smith Family,
My most sincere sympathy to all of you. Ms. Smith was my advisor at Dillard and always inspired me to do my very best. She was a great teacher and role model.
May God Bless you and comfort you.
Bianca Tiner
January 24, 2008
Ms. Smith was very instrumental in my education. She is the epitome of strength as a Black woman. I really appreciate the guidance that she provided me as a mentor, advisor, and instructor. You will be greatly missed. May God Bless your family and you all will be in my prayers.
R.E. Henry
January 24, 2008
I've been truly blessed, motivated, and inspired for having known this wonderful and extraordinary woman. May her family, friends, and former students, whom she so lovingly touched, cherish her memory, and continue becoming better people.
January 24, 2008
DR. EVITA CURRIE AND STAFF
Ashantra Jackson-Coston
January 24, 2008
Ms. Smith was one of the best biology instructors at Dillard. She seemed to know everything about everything. She was truly inspiring and a great motivator in my life. She will be missed.
Ann Marie Pinkney
January 24, 2008
You will be missed by your devoted family and friends. You are in Gods loving hands now and they will feel the comfort knowing that you are there to watch over them.
Wilbert Scott
January 24, 2008
To the Smith Family, you may not remember me, but I grew up with Marva in the 2400 block of Annette St. Marva and I were friends for 37 years, I thank God that she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior because I know that I will see her again. May God continue to be with you, I will lift you all up in prayer.
Wilbert Scott
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