Marguerite "Tina" Smith

My mother, Marguerite Ernestine Edwards Steele Smith was born in Poynor, Texas on July 3 1933 to Anderson and Luella Glasco Edwards. She was the only child born to this union. She moved with her mother to San Antonio, Texas when she was five years old. Like most families of that era, when they moved from the country to the city they lived with family, Uncle Ike and Aunt Mae Haywood, until they were established. Her mother chose the the Westside of San Antonio to live, however, Mother never went to school on the Westside. Her mother chose to send her to Booker T. Washington Elementary, Douglas Junior High School and her beloved Phillis Wheatley High School. It was in church and at these schools that she met lifelong friends. Mother was born into a Methodist family with strong Methodist roots. After moving to San Antonio, her mother was the first member of the family to join a Baptist church and when asked by her parents why, she told them she needed to be in church and the closest church in walking distance was a Baptist Church. They joined Palestine Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. L. A. Crenshaw where my grandmother remained until her demise in 1970 and we moved to California in 1966. Following high school Mother met and married William C. Steele and to this union two children were born, Andrea and Sharol Yvette My father was an Army man, so traveling started and she loved it. They were stationed in France and Spain, allowing her the opportunity to see much of Europe. the travel bug never left her, she always encouraged her children to see this big beautiful world the Lord had made. She thought it was such a shame for people not to go outside the communities they were born in. She always emphasized there was more to life than San Antonio, Texas. Later in life she met and married James R. Smith and to this union a daughter was born, Melanie Rochelle. Daddy was an Air Force man, so traveling continued. We were stationed in Colorado and Northern California where she made her home. While there we joined the Church of the Good Shepherd, where she was the church secretary. She was employed by Pacific Bell Telephone Company. It was here in California that she introduced her daughters to the arts, going to San Francisco to ballets, coffee shop plays, theatre, jazz and so much more. It was okay to have fun but always remember who you are, who's you are and to always be a lady. It was an amazing time, we had intergration, Angela Davis, Huey P. Newton, The Black Panther Party, Soul On Ice, Watts Riots, Dr. Kings assasination and so much more. She used this time to teach her children the importance of standing up for justice and that we were black and beautiful and we must be a part of the change. Our family was very active in the civil rights movement in San Antonio. She participated in marches in downtown San Antonio and sit-ins at Joske's. There were hushed meetings with the NAACP, planning strategies. Mother was Texas state youth advisor of the NAACP. While traveling to meetings in other states they endured being pulled over and taken to jail for questioning, she did it all. She continued this journey throughout her life, especially with President Obama, and when Mayor Ivy Taylor was selected and then elected mayor she shouted all over her house (on her walker) praising God for all she had seen and been a part of. Upon her return to San Antonio in the late 1970's she joined Antioch under the leadership of her long time friend Rev. J.J. Rector. Mother worked for Health Inc., under Mrs.Zernona Black and retired from Southwestern Bell. She also was the Day Care Director for Mt. Sinai Baptist Church and Kiddie Castle Day Care. She told us the story of her becoming an usher. Sis. Gertie Williams asked her to join the usher ministry. She said she didn't join right away because she didn't feel she was ready, she still had one foot in and one foot out, but when she made the commitment to God, she joined whole heartedly and the rest is history. She rarely missed any service here ministry was called to usher and she was consistent roping off the church for Wednesday Night Bible Study even though the robes were heavy and she was griped with pain from arthritis. She traveled with Rev. Rector, Rev. Walker and Rev. Kemp to stand on her post, often laughing about "where are they taking us now". If you knew my mother, you know she was quick to speak what was on her mind, she would love you unconditionally but she didn't pull any punches, she called a spade a spade. She would fight for her family and literally fight for her family if necessary. If you were in her family, natural or extended she was in your corner. Oh and lets's not forget her beloved Phillis Wheatley High School, she worked tirelessly for many years with the Alumni Association and was an active member until her health failed. Some of you know her story and I'm sure when you think of her a smile will cross your face, she was my every ready bunny rabbit, she just kept on ticking. Her favorite phrase was "You can't keep a good woman down"