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Edward Smith Obituary
Edward C. Smith
On March 11, 2023, Professor Edward C. Smith peacefully passed away. Smith, a third-generation Washingtonian, was 80 years old.
His professional academic career began in 1969 when he co-founded The Heights School, and he taught there until the 1970s. Almost simultaneously, he began teaching at American University from 1969 -2014. While at AU, Smith became the first African-American educator to earn a tenured professorship, and he was a co-founder of American University's Civil War Institute.
From 1976-1978, Smith took a sabbatical from AU and worked at the White House in the Carter Administration. He was deputy speech writer for presidential assistant Midge Costanza. In 1997, in collaboration with two Catholic Study Centers, he co-founded the Youth Leadership Foundation. Since 1997, the organization has supported character development in more than 4,000 students in the DMV.
Smith's words, humor, and insights will be missed by family, friends, and former students. He is survived by his children Todd, Dawn, Christopher, Austin, and SGT Chad, as well as his grandson Coby. Predeceased by the late SSG. Justin.
On Monday, April 17, 2023 at 10 a.m., his funeral mass will be held at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle located at 1725 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, DC. Immediately following, the interment ceremony will take place at Washington National Cemetery in Hillcrest Heights, Maryland, where Professor Smith will be buried with his late wife Mary Magdalene Jefferson Smith and near his late mother Rachel Willis.
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Memories and Condolences
for Edward Smith
Eric Wohlschlegel
May 19, 2023
My deep condolences and sadness hearing about the professor. He has and will continue to have a profound impact on my life.... Such a blessing to have known him and in particular remembering his many evening talks, seeing the movie "Lincoln" and getting a special tour of Saint Matthew´s Cathedral with my good friends who were visiting. See you in the next life, Eric
Laurena Ketzel-Kerber
April 17, 2023
Prof Smith was an inspiration and encouragement to us all. I will miss his seminars, true interest and compassion for those around him, and the twinkle in his eye.
He was as brilliant, sharp, and determined as anyone could be. Rest in Peace, he has done mighty things and Heaven is rejoicing for his return Home.
With love,
Laurena Ketzel-Kerber
Terri Edwards
April 17, 2023
Peace be with you this day Chris, Coby, Dawn, and Todd. Your father's words have lived with me since we were introduced. Your father's knowledge of history and life was profound, and his humorous delivery of truth is a tool I use in my own classroom everyday.
Leszek Syski
April 17, 2023
I saw Eddie Smith only a few times in person, but am glad to have had a chance to meet this very interesting man. I first got to know of Professor Smith during the times he led seminars in which my sons took part, at the Tenly Study Center. Requiescat in pace!
Madlyn McPherson
April 16, 2023
I am so very sorry to hear of Ed Smith's passing and wish to extend my deepest condolences to his beautiful children. I did not know of Mary passing until reading this today. I am Madlyn McPherson, the widow of Ed's good friend Joe McPherson, from the days at the Heights and later. Ed and Mary were a vibrant part of our lives from the time we arrived until 1973, sharing many good laughs over years. They were treasures in our lives, and I wish only the very best to his children. God Bless all of you. I am lucky to have known your parents and thank God for their friendships.
Gar Schulin
April 14, 2023
God has called home our Christian brother, our Compatriot and dear friend Professor Smith; yet all who knew him in life, and whose lives were enriched by his friendship and scholarship, know that to live on in the hearts he left behind is not to die. May God bless his family members and watch over them during this difficult time even as we celebrate his good and noble life well lived and his family of patriots he gave to our country- what a tremendous gift and legacy indeed. I will always cherish Professor Smith's kindnesses extended to me as a student in his virtual classroom and as the Guest of Honor in his Memorial Day remarks given in solemn remembrance of our American and Southern forbears here in Virginia, as he helped to push back the frontiers of historic ignorance and intolerance in our current time. We drank from the same American history canteen. Professor Edward Smith enriched countless lives as a distinguished Educator- his name traveled farther than even he did- and all who knew him thought well of him; he truly made our world a better place because he was a part of it. Those who place their faith and trust in God know that this parting in this worldly life is only temporary.
Compatriot Smith, though your smile is now temporarily lost to our sight- to memory you shall remain forever dear.
Carolyn Jefferson
April 13, 2023
Our sincere condolences to the Smith Family,May his good deeds live on.
Aunt Carolyn Jefferson
Monroe,La
Jeanne S.
April 12, 2023
An amazing man. His legacy continues.
Lewis F. Larsen, James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation
April 12, 2023
We are sad to hear of the passing of Professor Edward Smith, formerly of the American University. Ed was a professor at the James Madison Foundation's Summer Institute on the Constitution for nearly two decades.
Ed greatly loved American history, particularly the civil war era. As a lifelong resident, he loved the District of Columbia. Rarely, if ever, could you find Ed without a history book under his arm. His ability to tell an American history story was remarkable. He was a scholar of Frederick Douglas.
We will miss you, Ed.
Gene Kizer Jr
April 10, 2023
I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Professor Edward C. Smith. He was a fine man and scholar, very knowledgeable and witty. He would give a talk and crack up the crowd with thunderous laughter and applause throughout. He wrote and often spoke about black Southerners during the War Between the States and why, despite slavery, so many fought bravely for the South. The short answer is that the South was home and they were fighting for their homeland when the South was invaded, exactly as white Southerners were doing. God bless him for making that important contribution to American history among so many other important things he did. I can say with certainty that he was loved deeply and respected by the Sons of Confederate Veterans and all of us in the South who love history and truth. Rest in Peace, Brother Ed.
Jewel Jefferson
April 10, 2023
Love you Uncle Eddie, May the Lord strengthen and comfort each of daily as you remember him. Love you much. Jewel Jefferson
Bruce Jefferson
April 9, 2023
Condolences to the Smith Family!
Bruce Jefferson
Monroe,La
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