Allen Lt. Col. Smith

Lt. Col. Allen Smith, age 88, of Elm Mott, a civil rights pioneer, passed away early Saturday morning, September 16, 2017 at Providence Hospice Place in Waco. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 22, 2017 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Waco, with Pastor Charles Benson officiating. Military Graveside Rites will follow at Waco Memorial Park, conducted by Dyess Air Force Base. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Aderhold Funeral Home in West. Allen was born July 9, 1929 in Ashford, AL the son of Versie Mae (Peoples) and Roosevelt Smith Sr., the children of former slaves. The family soon moved to Edwards, MS. Roosevelt was a carpenter and head of maintenance at Southern Christian Institute (SCI) and Versie was a homemaker. Allen attended SCI, where he was an excellent student, track athlete, and was on the debate team. He graduated from SCI as Valedictorian of his class of 1947. Allen then attended Prairie View A&M on a track Scholarship. At Prairie View he met his future wife, a beautiful nursing student, Lorraine Vonner. Allen and Lorraine were married in May of 1951 in Waco, and again in 2006. He graduated Prairie View in 1950, earning a degree in International Studies and Political Science. Allen then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and became an officer (one of only five African American officers at Lackland Air Force Base in 1950). He became a pilot in 1954, the only African American in his class of over 350, three months before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. Allen earned a Masters of Business Degree from Indiana University in 1967 and a Juris Doctor of Law from Creighton University in 1974. He also studied at Baylor University. To learn more of his accomplishments go to KWBU.org, Behind the Story: "A Veterans Journey: From the Fields to the Air" or hear some of his story at Baylor Universitys Oral History Museum. Allens Air Force career took him all over the world. Allen is preceded in death by his wife; parents; a daughter, Peggy Ann Ware; three sons, Christopher Allen Smith, Ronald "Don" Dennison Smith and Rowland "Roy" Dennison Smith; and siblings, Lucille Johnson, Lydan Range, Adell Smith, Helen Turner, Nettie Smith, Rosetta Jernigan, Roosevelt Smith Jr., Marcellus Smith and Alfonzo Smith. Survivors include a son, Michael R. Smith and wife Janie of Elm Mott; grandsons, Michael, Sean and Christopher Corsey, and Ronald Dennison Smith Jr.; granddaughters, Jamie Corsey, Cyi Smith and wife Megan, and Leila Rose; step grandsons, Aaron, Jordan and Elijah Cooper; step granddaughters, Maili Super and husband Chris, Collin Anderson and husband Michael, Andrea Powell and husband Peter, and Moriah Cooper; sisters, Lillian Ducker, Gala Starling, Elinder Martin and Loretta Peoples; many great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are Jamie Burks, Peter Masok Mafwal, Wesley Nute Jr., Curtis Mills, Lester Mills and Wiley Vonner. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Veterans One Stop, Mission Waco, or Rappaport Academy in Lt. Col. Allen Smiths Honor. The family would like to thank caregivers, Melinda Day and Lettie Rosenbaum, and Providence St. Catherines Hospice. Following the services at Waco Memorial Park, the family will be gathering for a luncheon to be held at Calvary Chapel, 702 N. 18th St. in Waco. Everyone is invited for food and fellowship.