Jacqueline Myles Smith

January 25, 1920 - November 14, 2017

A lifetime of advocacy and community service….

A native of Dermott, Arkansas, “Jackie” graduated from the following: Lincoln Academy, a private middle school in King’s Mountain, North Carolina; Dunbar High School in Washington, DC; undergraduate degree from Bennett College, Greensboro NC, took graduate studies at the historic Howard University, in Washington DC (she was a student assistant to the renowned educator, E. Franklin Frazier) and received a Master’s degree in Social Welfare from the University of California at Berkeley.

She pursued her passion for community service throughout her life. She worked for The Girls’ Scouts in Washington DC, and later served as USO Director in Huachuca AZ, and Petersburg VA – where she met Joseph S. Smith, Jr. They were married at Howard U. Chapel on June 29, 1947.

Her professional career and volunteer work spanned more than 60 years. She served as Director of Community Service of the Bay Area Urban League, and left to serve in this same position during the redevelopment of Marin City. She represented the National Council on Aging covering Oregon to the Southern California border. She was appointed to the San Francisco Public Welfare Commission by Mayor George Christopher becoming the first Black woman to serve and became its Vice President. Mrs. Smith was appointed by President Lyndon Baines Johnson to the National Vocational Rehabilitation Commission. She was subsequently appointed to the California Vocational Rehabilitation Commission by Gov. Edmund G. Brown. Once retired, Mrs. Smith volunteered as a Regional Rep. for the National Red Cross.

Active in many civic organizations, such as the Bay Area Service League, a progressive organization created by Black women to provide resources and ongoing support to underprivileged families and children; a charter member of the San Francisco Chapter (1950) of The Links, Inc. and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (1947)-Delta Zeta Omega Chapter, San Francisco. Mrs. Smith was active in Jack and Jill of America, San Francisco Chapter (1953-1968).

She was the oldest of four children born to Homer Myles, Sr. and Augusta. She is predeceased in death by husband Joseph S. Smith, Jr., and a sister, Mildred C. Evans. She is survived by her daughter, Gwendolyn Smith Nicholas, Sacramento CA, a brother, Homer K. Myles, Jr., DD.S., San Ramon CA, her sister Julia Grant, of San Francisco, and a host other family members and friends.

Condolences may be sent to: Gwendolyn Smith Nicholas, P. O. Box 1175, Sacramento CA 95812-1175.