Jessie Cottman Smith

JESSIE’S AMAZING JOURNEY To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: It all began on Thursday, November 15, 1928 when the fifth of nine children was born to the late Jesse T. and Virgie A. Cottman. Reared in a small community known as Tindley’s Chapel in Somerset County, Jessie traveled far and wide during her lifetime, but there was no place like home for her. On Thursday, December 10, 2020, while at Tidal Health in Salisbury, Maryland, she transitioned from her earthly home to her heavenly home in glory. Jessie’s academic journey took her to places that some could only imagine because of her humble beginnings. From a one-room schoolhouse in Tindley’s Chapel to graduating from Worcester High School in Newark, Maryland at the age of fifteen to matriculating at Maryland State College in Princess Anne, Maryland, she had only just begun. After earning a Masters of Science in Library Science from Columbia University in New York City, New York, she returned to the Eastern Shore to begin her teaching career at Worcester High before making a career-move to her alma mater, Maryland State College which was eventually renamed the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) as first a Reference Librarian and then as the Director and finally retiring as Dean of the Library. During her tenure and stellar career at UMES, Jessie had the opportunity to travel extensively. She spent a year at Stanford University in California, 6-weeks in Zambia, a foray to Egypt and assignments throughout the United States too numerous to mention. In 1970, Jessie met her soulmate and after a two-year romantic courtship, she married the love of her life, Master Sergeant Morris B. Smith, on November 25, 1972. Their union was filled with life, love, laughter, family, friends and their beloved pets. They traveled by car, cruise ship, plane and motorhome, but always together. Morris and Jessie remained blissfully married until his passing on February 1, 2014. Upon her retirement from UMES on November 30, 1998, Jessie became even more active in her church where she had always been a lifelong faithful and dedicated servant, lending her expertise in various capacities. Among other responsibilities at Mount Zion, she served as Chairperson of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee and Church Lay Leader. Although retired, Jessie found more time to devote to her alma mater, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She was a true Hawk for life—powerful, swift, strong, graceful, admired, respected and well-loved. A two-time inductee into the UMES National Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame, Jessie proudly epitomized true school spirit and never missed the opportunity to exhibit and support the “maroon and gray.” Whether you knew her as Aunt Jessie, Cousin Jessie, Mrs. Smith, Ms. Jessie or Boss Lady, she was a force of nature all by herself. She lived her best life, made the most of it and enjoyed every minute of her life well-lived. Indelible memories of Jessie’s life and legacy will be remembered by: her nieces, Shirley Hamilton, Sheila Turner (Clifton), Felicia Johnson, Cheryll Mills (Carroll), Nelva White—her godchild (Barry), Natalie Collier, Sheila Smith, Ann Timmons and Pamela Smith (Maurice); her nephews, William Collier, Jr., Bryan Collier (Kristina), Gerald Smith, Jr., Gregory Smith and Gene Smith (Qiana); great nieces, Robin Manigault, Nicole Selby (Demond), Alicia Pleasant (Mahlon), Erica and Jessica Mills (her godchild), Briana White, Monica and Michelle Turner and Haley, Chloe and Ava Collier; great nephews, David Johnson (Jasmine), Lamar Collier, Derrick Smith (Malena) and Justin White; brothers-in-law, Gerald Smith (Gracie) and William Collier, Sr. (Elsie) and a host of great-great nieces, great-great nephews, cousins, colleagues and friends. Her lhasa apso, Moli Minty Smith, also shares our grief at her overwhelming loss. In addition to her parents, siblings, in-laws and husband, Jessie was preceded in death by her only godson, Shannon Lamar Hamilton. Those we love must someday pass, beyond our present sight, Must leave us and the world we know without their radiant light. But we know that like a candle, their lovely light will surely shine, To brighten up another place, more perfect, more divine. And in the realm of Heaven, where they shine so warm and bright; Our loved ones live forevermore, in God’s eternal light. SORROWFULLY SUBMITTED ~ THE FAMILY

Jessie Cottman Smith

November 15, 1928 - December 10, 2020