Dr. Herman B. Smith, Jr. Obituary (2021)

Van Hoose & Steele Funeral Home, Inc. announces with deepest sympathy the transition of Dr. Herman B. Smith, Jr., of Atlanta, GA and formerly of Tuscaloosa, AL. On November 7, 2021, longtime educator, Dr. Herman B Smith, Jr. departed this world for his eternal rest. Smith got his professional start in the Alabama public schools system, initially as an English teacher at the Greene County Training School. He went on to become the Vice Principal at Druid High School before furthering his education and professional growth. Smith was born in Mansfield, OH but reared in Knoxville, TN. He was the first born of the late Grace Frazier Smith and Herman B Smith, Sr. He was educated in the public school system of Knoxville. He attended Knoxville College and graduated Magna Cum Laude and as the valedictorian of the class of 1948. Additionally, he earned a MS and Ph. D from the University of Wisconsin. Smith had a long and varied career. He was an officer in the United States Army; university professor, consultant, and most notably President at several Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He was the Chancellor at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff from 1974 to 1981; and thereafter served at different times at Jackson State University in Jackson, MS, Central State University in Wilberforce, OH, and Morris Brown College, in Atlanta, GA. Smith's Alabama connection run deep, he married the late Annie Mae Lavender of Tuscaloosa in 1951 and became a beloved member of the Lavender family. This union produced a son, Gregory and daughter, Terri Lynne. In recent years Smith suffered from Alzheimer's disease and ultimately succumbed to it. However, in life he was ebullient, unfailingly positive, and dedicated to service and family. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Ann; sister, Mary Bailey; and sister, Margaret Parks. He is survived by wife, the former Carole Hill of Tuscaloosa, her three children Karen, Rae, John and other family members; brother, Howard E. Smith (Adell) of Plantation, Fl; sister-in-law, Queen Davie (Al) of Glencoe, MO; son, Gregory (Camille) of Upper Marlboro, MD; daughter, Terri Lynne of Atlanta, GA; three grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Memorial service will be held November 13 in Atlanta, Georgia at Murray Brothers Funeral Home, 1199 Utoy Springs Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30331. Livestream link - Vimeo.com/murraybrothers