[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 177 (Thursday, October 26, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO MRS. MARY ELLEN RIVERS SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 2023

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a committed 
educator, devout Christian, and dedicated public servant, Mrs. Mary 
Ellen Rivers Smith. Ms. Smith transitioned from this life on October 
14, 2023. She was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on February 13, 
1931, the third of four children born to Addell and Mitchell Rivers.
  Ms. Smith was a proud graduate of the Charleston School System, 
having attended Simonton Elementary School, where I began my 
professional career, and the historic Avery Institute, the first 
accredited secondary school for African Americans in Charleston. The 
Avery Institute had a special place in her heart. Decades after 
graduation, Mrs. Smith donated several artifacts from her school days 
to what has become the Avery Research Center for African American 
History and Culture.
  Ms. Smith matriculated at North Carolina Central University, then 
North Carolina College, in Durham, North Carolina, in 1952 and 
graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health and Physical 
Education with a minor in Education. An avid and talented singer, Mrs. 
Smith earned the nickname ``Songbird'' as a soloist in the University 
Choir. After graduation, she returned to Charleston to teach high 
school and shortly thereafter married Reverend Dr. Charles F. Thomas.
  Mrs. Smith was deeply dedicated to uplifting and shaping young minds. 
Over her six-decades-long career as an educator, she taught in 
elementary and middle schools in South Carolina; Biloxi, Mississippi; 
Lanon, Philippine Islands; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Omaha, Nebraska. 
After residing in Omaha for many years, she moved with her family to 
Huntsville, Alabama.
  In Huntsville, Mrs. Smith became Education Director for the 
Comprehensive Childcare program. She retired from teaching in 1999 but 
continued her commitment to educating the next generation of young 
minds as a substitute elementary school teacher. Additionally, during 
this time, she met and married Frank C. Smith of Charleston. Her 
dedication to education and community service served as an inspiration 
to her five children, all of whom served as educators in various 
capacities.
  Mrs. Smith accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age and 
was baptized at Calvary Baptist Church. Her love for the Lord would 
follow her throughout the entirety of her life. A longtime devoted 
parishioner of Morris Street Baptist Church in Charleston, Mrs. Smith 
was involved in the Senior Choir, Hour of Power Choir, Educational 
Ministry, Newsletter Ministry, Social Butterflies, Senior Ministry, 
Pastoral Aid, Senior Citizens, and Sunday School.
  After relocating to the Washington, D.C. area to live with her 
daughter Jennifer, Mrs. Smith became a member of the Reid Temple AME 
Church. There, she participated in the Reid Temple Senior Services 
Bible study. However, Morris Street Baptist always remained dear to her 
heart.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in honoring 
the remarkable life of Mrs. Mary Ellen Rivers Smith. She is remembered 
fondly by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, beloved 
relatives, church family, and dear friends. Mrs. Smith lived a life 
full of love, devotion, public service, and grace. She will be sorely 
missed and well-remembered by all blessed to know her.

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