Pearl Estelle Amy Smith entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Monday, March 16, 2020.
Mrs. Smith was born in Middlesex County on April 14, 1930. She was the youngest of 10 children born to Perry Hilliard and Laura (Johnson) Amy.
Mrs. Smith fell in love with Mathematics at an early age. She graduated valedictorian from St. Clare Walker High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and master’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics from Virginia State College (now Virginia State University).
While attending Virginia State, she met her future husband, 1st Lt. Olie O. Smith of Westmoreland County. In 1953, she married Lt. Smith.
Mrs. Smith taught Mathematics at Bishop College in Marshall, Texas. Later, the couple moved to Germany for 18 months. While there, she taught Mathematics and English (sponsored by the University of Maryland) and gave birth to their first child. Upon returning to the U.S., Mrs. Smith taught Mathematics for one year at St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville and then returned to her alma mater to teach Mathematics.
In 1963, Mrs. Smith was hired as a mathematician for the Naval Weapons Laboratory in Dahlgren. Mrs. Smith was a human computer, a “hidden figure” for the Navy. She wrote computer programs for the guidance systems of missiles fired from Naval ships. Prior to coming to Dahlgren, she had never seen a computer.
During her career, she served her community as president of the King George Democratic Party, officer and president of the American Red Cross, chair of the King George County Board of Zoning Appeals, member of the Waste Management Planning Committee, secretary of the Parent Teacher Association, member of the design committee for the original King George Middle School, chair of the King George High School Band Boosters, charter member and past president of the Xi Upsilon Omega Chapter, graduate chapter, of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. in Fredericksburg, member of Prince Hall Affiliated Order of the Eastern Star and lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She retired from the Naval Surface Warfare Center after 31 years of service.
Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Olie O. Smith and son, Dr. Timothy O. Smith. She is survived by two daughters, Gretna Y. Smith (Donna Cottrell Smith) of Virginia Beach, and Amy R. Smith of Spotsylvania; one son, Thomas J. Louden of Fredericksburg; one step-grandson, Stephen K. Cottrell of Hopkinsville, Ky.; her goddaughter, Chelsea Helms of Temecula, Calif.; and one sister-in-law, Rose Amy of Middlesex. As the matriarch of the Amy family, Mrs. Smith is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews.
A private, graveside service will be conducted with family. A celebration of life will be conducted at a later date.
Arrangements are being coordinated by Mr. Cedell Brooks (brooksfuneralhome.com). In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Red Cross.
