Mary Elizabeth Smithson-Craighead

SMITHSON-CRAIGHEAD, Mary ElizabethAge 92 of Nashville. July 10, 2008. Mary Elizabeth Smithson was born on November 27, 1915 to the late John Lee and Lou Ora Berry Smithson. She was the second of ten children; two have preceded her in death; brother, John Lee Smithson Jr.; sister, Launa Craighead. Mary Elizabeth graduated from Pearl High School at age of 15. She attended and graduated from Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. Later, she received her Masters Degree in Educational Administration with a 4.0/4.0 GPA, at the age of 19. She met and fell in love with the handsome, gentle, gray eyed gentleman, Robert Lincoln Craighead, Sr. A marriage that has lasted for 72 years and through their union was born six wonderful children. Mary had a calling from God, a calling that she answered without hesitation, doubt, or confusion. She taught all grade levels adding value to all the lives she touched. She then became the director of the NEIP (Nashville Educational Improvement Project. She never applied for a job as Principal, but was called upon many times by the Director of Metro Public Schools to be one, and finally she said "yes" and became principal of Carter Lawrence, Pearl and Glendale Elementary. She retired four times, but was called back to give her expert advice on many different educational processes. While she was a principal, she was also a consultant for many school districts where she conducted multiple workshops that spanned the Deep South of Alabama to Tennessee, Ohio, North and South Carolina, and many in between. She also taught classes at Vanderbilt University and Peabody College. She personally made all of her classroom and workshop manipulatives which would better assist the teachers in their teaching, and assist students with their reading skills. Her motto was "Save Every Child." No child left her classroom, or any of her schools without reading on or above grade level. Finally, she developed, designed, created and implemented the Reading Success Program; a program she was asked to create for Project Reflect that is now known as Smithson-Berry Craighead Academy, which is Nashville's first Charter School. Mary was never interested in the school being a Charter School. Her only interest was that children who were in need were given the help they needed and the Charter school would never have been a success without the expertise and innate knowledge of Mary Elizabeth Smithson Craighead. She was truly a servant leader! She never asked for a dime to implement the program but gave from her heart and soul, staying up late hours, night after night, month after month, writing and re-writing a program that has been proven to be second to none. Mary has won numerous educational awards and honors. She co-authored a book that was published by Steck-Vaughn & Co. She also wrote a book of poems dedicated to her loving children. Mary Elizabeth is gone from sight, but shines brightly to those who truly loved her. Survived by husband, Robert L. Craighead, Sr.; children, Sandra M. Craighead, Ann C. (Ret. Col. Milton) White, Dr. Robert L. (Nannette) Craighead, Jr., Carlton B. (Patricia) Craighead, Don E. (Sharon) Craighead and Lynn A. (Gregory S.) Allen, Sr.; sixteen grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; five sisters; two brothers; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends. Mass will be held 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at The Cathedral of the Incarnation, 2015 West End Avenue with Father Pio Jackson, OFM officiating. Interment Greenwood West Mausoleum. LEWIS & WRIGHT FUNERAL DIRECTORS, (615) 255-2371, Richard A. Lewis, Michael A. Lewis and Albert G. Berry, Directors