Mildred Hall Smith, 95, passed away peacefully early in the morning on Friday, March 31, 2023 at her home in Aurora, Colorado and was just 6 weeks shy of her 96th birthday. She was born May 13, 1927 in Cusseta, Alabama, to Frank Hall, Sr., and Susie “Sweetie” (Peters) Hall. During her childhood years, she worked alongside her brother, sisters and parents who were sharecroppers. She learned home economics including meal preparation and seamstress skills that she carried throughout her life. She excelled in high school as she graduated from Lanier High School in Lanett, Alabama as Valedictorian of her class in 1948. In June 1948, Mildred enrolled at Tuskegee University (formerly Tuskegee Institute) as a Home Economics Major. In May of 1952, Mildred graduated from Tuskegee University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education and Home Economics. She was the first and only member of her family to attend and finish college. For the following year, she began her teaching career serving as a Teacher’s Assistant and began her training in Instructional Curriculum.
In May 1953, Mildred married her college sweetheart, 2nd Lt. John H. Smith, Jr. at Tuskegee Institute. There were four children born to this union to include Cassandra Denise, Regina Persephony, Michael Jonathan and Kenneth Bernard.
Mildred performed in several careers including as a Teacher, an Air Force Wife, and later as a Program Director in the senior living industry. She settled her family in Denver, CO in 1969 before accepting one final assignment in the Philippines and returning home to Denver in 1977. In 1972, Mildred earned her Master of Arts Degree in Education from the University of Northern Colorado. While supporting her husband’s military career, Mildred served as a teacher in public schools for three years from 1956 through 1959 in Troy & Lanett, Alabama. In Department of Defense Schools, she taught for seven years between 1959 and 1977 in Alaska, Texas and the Philippines. In 1973, Mildred became Program Director of the Liggins Tower Senior Citizens Facility in Northeast Denver. She worked as Program Director from 1973-1975 and again from 1977-1989.
Mildred was also involved with the community in a few different associations. She joined Calvary Baptist Church in 1970 where she remained a member until her passing in 2023. She served on several committees over the years including the Travel Committee for the “Modern Matures” assisting with the planning and coordination of many trips to Branson, MO, international trips, and others. She also helped plan, coordinate, and execute several church functions involving meal preparation and serving in the Fellowship Hall.
Mildred was also a member of the Tuskegee Airman, Inc. “Hubert Hooks Jones” Chapter and worked alongside her husband and was a major contributor to many of the chapter’s accomplishments including the Tuskegee Airman Statue Dedication Memorial in the Courtyard of the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) in 1982, the Induction of Artifacts in Arnold Hall at the USAFA and others.
While serving in all the previous roles listed, Mildred remained a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, in-law, aunt, and friend to countless individuals during her life. To many, she is lovingly regarded as their “Second Mom” to those who grew up around her over the years.
Mildred is the last of her generation, the sole surviving member of the Hall family. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Henry Smith, Jr., Col. USAF Retired, her parents, Susie “Sweetie” Peters Hall and Frank Hall, Sr., her sisters, Myrtis (Hall) Robinson and Sarah (Hall) Vines Smith, her brother, Frank Hall, Jr., her sisters-in-law Gertie Mae Smith and Juanita Phillips.
Mildred is survived by her children, Cassandra Denise (Michael G.) Williams, Regina Persephony Smith, Michael Jonathan (Gina Lanae Tunson) Smith and Kenneth Bernard Smith; grandchildren, Matthew Alan Smith, Marcus Aaron (Carly Moore) Smith and Jessica Ashley Smith; great grandchildren Aubrey Belle Smith, Naomi Camille Smith and Tripp Reginald Smith and several nieces, nephews, grands and great grand nieces and nephews. In addition, Mildred is also survived by three sisters-in-law: Marvarene Parker, Alma Jean Brazier and Dorothy Smith and brother-in-law Leroy Phillips.
Mildred lived a long, prosperous, and fruitful life and counts among her many blessings the joy of family and friends whose lives she touched and those who touched her.
Mildred’s services will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the “Mildred Hall Smith Memorial Fund” at the Calvary Baptist Church of Denver.
For our family and friends who will be traveling from out of town or the nearby area, please let us know as soon as you can.
The escorted processional to the Fort Logan cemetery will depart promptly at 10am. Those who would like to join our processional are requested to arrive at Calvary Baptist Church of Denver no later than 9:40 am.
A Memorial Video commemorating Mildred’s beautiful life, and her memorial services can be viewed online at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOBYwOOBnhU&t=682s
Gifts in memory of Mildred Hall Smith may be sent to:
- Give online: www. calvarydenver.org/give
o Under Giving Type, choose Memorial Gift; in memo, type “Mildred Hall Smith Memorial Fund” - Give by check payable to:
Calvary Baptist Church of Denver
o 6500 E. Girard Ave., Denver, CO 80224 Memo line: “Mildred Hall Smith Memorial Fund”