Elaine Smith

Cincinnati, OH resident Elaine Smith, 88, contentedly gained her wings on November 24, 2020 after a very brief stay at Jewish Hospital in Kenwood, Ohio.

Mrs. Elaine Smith was born March 16, 1932, in Cincinnati, OH to James and Mary Allen. Elaine, though small in stature at birth, the 3^rd of 6 children, fought and conquered many life challenges. After the passing of her mother, when Elaine was only 4 years old, her god-parents followed through on a promise to take care of her and even gave her ballet dance lessons. She was one of the First women of color to attend the Annaliese von Oettingen School of Ballet. Annaliese was an accomplished ballerina, choreographer and influential ballet teacher who trained in Berlin and London. Elaine also graduated from Woodward High School in Cincinnati, OH.

In 1954, Elaine was blessed to win a wedding and honeymoon contest sponsored by Lord Calvert Beverages. This provided her and fiancé, Alonzo to have the dream ceremony not usually experienced in society in that time period. Elaine was a talented seamstress for many occasions and made everyone that came to the family home feel welcome. Elaine was non-judgmental and treated every customer as a family member. Her main belief was that there was just not enough Love in the world and that “Everybody needs a Hug sometimes”.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Rev. Alonzo Smith, Jr., her sister, Marie George and grandson, Jamaal Miller (son of Olaniyi).  Elaine’s legacy included her 3 children; Olaniyi (nee Terri) Zainabu, Carl (Sonuel) Smith  and Karen (Rodney) Davis, as well as bonus daughter, Linda (Louis) Woodard, along with 2 sisters, Lillie Shaw and Beatrice Allen and 2 brothers, Horace Allen and James T. Allen Jr. Elaine also claimed as “family” all that became connected through her children, whether by blood-relation or “friendly adoption”, which expanded to include 10 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren, along with numerous other family members and friends who loved her to the very end.

At her request, no wake or funeral service was held. A respectable interment ceremony, officiated by Rev. Hampton Johnson was held at the cemetary with a small group of family. Affectionately known as “Miss Elaine”and “Grandmommy”, this loving but feisty little lady believed that once her spirit left the body there was no reason for a viewing since “she wouldn’t be there anyway” thus no reason to mourn her in that way. Elaine believed that people should “Rejoice” and be happy about their loved ones’ “homegoing” to be with the Lord.

Her spirit lives on in each person who had the pleasure of knowing her and it is the family’s prayer that the Love she extended continues to grow.

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