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Ms. Ozzie Smith enjoyed a dinner at her home on October 8th with her sisters, Moniecue Meeks, Shirley Smith, two of her children and a couple of grandchildren. A few friends also stopped by just to wish her a Happy Birthday. The dinner specials included, homemade chicken and dumplings and pumpkin pie, two of her favorites.
On October 11th, she celebrated again with four generations of her family in the fellowship hall at the New Ellis Chapel Baptist Church on Eaves Road in Shelby NC. Her sisters were again in attendance along with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, a niece, a few nephews, and some friends. The hall was decorated in gold and black by her granddaughter Manica Walker.
Ms. Ozzie grew up on a farm where she plowed a mule, picked cotton, helped make molasses, and helped the family in every way she could. She remembers walking to school, even in the snow, to a one room schoolhouse. There was always one student who had to run ahead of the others to light the pot belly stove so the room would be warm. To make the journey easier, they would walk in groups and make up games to play alone the way. All the children of the family had chores to do each day before and after school. Ms. Ozzie had three brothers and two sisters to help do the work. Ozzie learned to cook and clean the house so she did not have to work more in the fields. She tells of washing clothes in the stream near the house. The clothes were then hung on a line to dry. They had a well to draw their water for the household.
Sunday was a rest day from the fields. The family went to church in the morning, visited with other family members and then would go back to church in the afternoon. Sometimes they would visit different churches, especially during revivals. She met her future husband, Alonzo L. Smith at one of those churches. She did not realize that he would later be called to preach and she would become the First Lady. They were married in 1949. To this union was born five children: Jamarica S. Jones, Wanda S. Bland, Larry L. Smith, Sandra S. Cannedy, and Beverly S. Kelly.
Ozzie attended Beautician School in Charlotte NC and remembers having to ride thebus to get there. She worked in a couple of local shops after completing the course, but most of her customers came to her home. On Friday and Saturday, she was busy pressing and curling hair for the ladies to have a new hairdo on Sunday.
Over the years she continued to learn new task even taking an upholstery class so that she could upholster her furniture. She also held jobs in the mills, did some tailoring, and works as a secretary for a short time. In her role as First Lady, she taught Sunday School, sang on the Choir, was a part of the Missionary and the Minister's Wives.
Ms. Ozzie is a Missionary at heart. Even in her eighties and nineties she could be found visiting the Nursing Home patients. When she could no longer drive, she would spend time calling those that were sick and shut in. No one could ever visit her home without being offered something to eat. Ms. Ozzie never meets a stranger and could spend 20 to 30 minutes talking to someone she just met in Walmart or Hamrick's. She loves flowers and gardening. She also likes to shop, finding the best bargains at any store. Sundays would find her dressed with a hat, dress and shoes to match.
Ms. Ozzie is proud of the fact that she was able to vote for the first Black President. She is concern now that things are going backward instead of forward. She is quick to say "God don't like evil, and He is still in charge."
When asked how she was able to get to 100 years, she simply says "It was the Lord. You need to trust Him and pray. Without God you can't do anything." Ms. Ozzie has seen many changes in her lifetime, some good and some not so good. But above all, she continues to keep her faith in God. At the celebration on October 11th, she reminded all that were present to keep faith in God. As she addressed her grandchildren and great grandchildren, she told them to "take the Lord with you wherever you go."
Ms. Ozzie developed pneumonia in June 2025, and since then has been limited in her mobility. Each doctor visit however, gives her another opportunity to tell someone about God. She told one of her granddaughters, "I may be confused about somethings, but I don't forget Him (God)."
Ms. Ozzie Smith is truly a picture of Proverbs 31:10-31. Her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and all that comes in contact with her can truly call her a blessing.
Submitted by Wanda Bland