Ethelrene Smith

January 22, 1941 — January 13, 2023

Ethelrene Smith was born on January 22, 1941 in Memphis, Tennessee to the late Will and Alice Myers. She accepted Christ at an early age. She was the sixth child of ten children. She was often referred to as Rene or Ethel. Her independence, loving, caring and giving spirit was evident throughout her entire life.
Ehtelrene was a graduate of Memphis Public Schools, receiving her diploma from Hamilton High School. She attended Tennessee State University taking an interest in Business Administration where she utilized her organizational and interpersonal skills. Her aptitude led her to the motor city, Detroit, Michigan following her older sisters, Louise and Inez.
Ethelrene began her career with the United States Postal Service (USPS) as a Postal Clerk at the main post office in downtown Detroit in 1964. She later transferred to the Strathmoor Station. In addition, she was very active in the American Postal Workers Union as a Union Steward negotiating and advocating for employees rights. After forty-four years of a longstanding career with the USPS, she retired from the Germantown Station in Memphis, Tennessee and returned to her home in Detroit, Michigan.
Ehtelrene was married to Robert Smith. She birthed two sons on holidays, Anthony born on Christmas in 1962 and Jeffrey on Labor Day in 1967. nAs a devoted wife and mother working a full time schedule, she still found opportunities to volunteer as a lunch aide at the boys school, attend field trips, make all of Tony's football games, and entertain family and friends at her home on Freeland Street. In her spare time, she enjoyed watching the Food Network and reruns of Perry Mason, reading fiction and non-fiction books, going to the casino, and being an avid bowler. She even bowled twice a week at the age of eighty-one years old. Her determination to stay active was demonstrative in her interest and hobbies.
Ethelrene gave selflessly and found joy in taking care of others. Often, she prepared exquisite full course meals in quality cookware with unique ingredients and baked homemade sweets--chocolate cake, sweet potato pie, and banana pudding. She set the table with beautiful tapestry and the finest dishes. Sitting at her dining room table was like a five star restaurant experience.
Ethelrene's unwavering commitment to family was evident throughout her entire life. She returned to Memphis, Tennessee to take care of her father, Will. With her love and nurture he carried on and lived to be 95 years old. Also, she traveled back and forth from Detroit, Michigan to Memphis, Tennessee to take care of her baby brother, Nathaniel when he became ill. Additionally, she helped raise her goddaughter, Cari. Further, in Ethelrene's golden years, she found amusement and glee caring for her grandsons, Parker and Chandler.
Ethelrene leaves to cherish her memory: sensational sons, Anthony Smith (Rosita), Jeffrey Smith (Melita); glowing grandsons, Parker and Chandler; goddaughter, Cari Crossley (David); brothers, Louis Myers (Wilma) and Raymond Myers (Dorothy); and a host of other loving family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alice and Will, siblings, Will Myers, Jr., James Myers, Louise Marks, Inez Smith-Williams, Eugene Myers, Bertha Gray and Nathanial Myers.
Thank you,
Melita

"To be victorious, you must find glory in the little things." ~Janelle Monae

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