Marie P. Smith

Our last living maternal Aunt Marie Paulette Smith transitioned peacefully August 8, 2026, at the home she shared with her niece, Pamela Campbell.

Marie’s birth on Sunday July 29, 1945, at Gallinger Municipal Hospital graced the lives of everyone in her family, especially her parents, the late Charles Alphonso Thompson, and Elizabeth Bealle Smith and five siblings.

Marie was baptized September 9, 1945, at St Vincent De Paul Catholic Church by Reverend Charles J Hanks, SSJ. Her godparents were her maternal uncle Louis Bealle and wife Mary. Marie received her First Communion on May 9, 1954, at the age of nine. She continued her Christian journey and was Confirmed May 18, 1960, at the age of 15 at St Benedict The Moor Church by Archbishop Patrick O’Boyle. She loved God and was raised Catholic. Early in her Christian walk Marie wanted to become a Nun. As an adult she found the Baptist religion was a better fit for her. She joined Mt. Horeb Baptist Church and sang for many years with the Chancel Choir. When pastoral leadership changed she left. She joined the Pennsylvania Baptist Church January 28, 1990. Aunt Marie told me that when she joined The New Macedonia Baptist Church on June 1, 2008, she knew her search for a church home had ended. When we talked on Sundays she excitedly shared sermons, songs the choir sang, and how she always felt welcomed as a member.

Marie attended William Syphax Elementary and Bowen Elementary schools where she graduated from sixth grade. She attended Hine Jr High School for a time but graduated from ninth grade in 1961 from Jefferson Jr. High School. Marie was 1 of 466 students who graduated from Eastern High School in1964. In 1972, Marie graduated from Federal City College majoring in Sociology. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Marie was not satisfied with just a bachelor’s degree. She applied to the MBA programs at the University of District of Columbia and Howard University. Both applications were denied. Marie held onto her faith and confidence and did not dwell on the denials. She applied and was accepted at Trinity College where she graduated in 1978 with a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Marie believed in herself and never allowed anyone or anything to stop her pursuit of obtaining more educational opportunities. Unknown to many, Marie fluently spoke Spanish, German, French, and Mandarin (Chinese) languages.

In 1964 after graduation, Marie was hired as Receptionist at Federal City College where she earned 60% of her total college expenses. She worked three years as a Clerk Typist and Receptionist at the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind. She worked for two years as an Elevator Operator at George Washington University Hospital operating passenger elevators and teaching new hires standard elevator operation and procedures.

In a special work study program at Federal City College, she served two years as the liaison for student inmates from the Lorton Penitentiary. Marie worked at the college as a Student Aide in the Department of Experimental Programs. She worked for five years as an Educational Aide for DC Public Schools. She worked for three years as a Library Assistant at the Martin Luther King Library, where she taught braille to underprivileged children and adults. Briefly, she worked as a Clerk for DC’s DMV in the Vehicle Control Division handling registration renewals.

Marie worked for 25 years for the Internal Revenue Service in many positions and departments. In 2002, she retired as a Management Assistant in the Information Technology Service Department. Her total government service was 28 years, 10 months, 4 days and 238 Annual Leave and 120 Sick Leave hours. She received 5 Performance awards from 1996-1998.

Marie had immeasurable energy and countless interests. She loved the arts especially all genres of music and dance including Modern, Cha-Cha, Zumba, Waltz, Hand, and Line dances. Marie was an avid wrestling fan. Her early favorites were Andre the Giant and Bruno San Martino. Later she became a die-hard Hulk Hogan fan. She loved to sing and participated in a few church choirs. For years, she was a member of DC Blind Bowling League 8506 on the Sunshine Girls bowling team. She received Highest Score awards in 2004 and 2005. Other interests included traveling, swimming, reading poetry, and nonfiction novels, learning and teaching children, stage plays, westerns, and cartoons. She was excited training with her beloved service dog she renamed “Little One.”

Marie was never married and had no children, but four of her seven siblings and their offspring produced a total of 240 children. Her large family consists of six siblings, six nephews, twenty nieces, twenty-seven great nephews, thirty-one great nieces, sixty-one great, great nephews, fifty-eight great, great nieces, seventeen great, great, great nephews, and twenty great, great, great nieces.

Marie was known for having an independent, confident, strong-willed, and determined spirit. She inspired and touched many people in her lifetime. Everyone knew when you crossed paths with Marie she would ask, “Are you behaving?” or tell you to “Behave”. Other sayings, “Is it against the law?” or to children she would say, “Behave yourself, it’s good for you”. Another favorite saying was, “Don’t handicap the handicapped” when anyone tried to help her do something she could do for herself; and if you assisted her walking she always instructed you on how to position your arm.

Many may not know but in 1971 Marie purchased a 1965 Buick Skylark for $900 and hired a driver because she was working two part-time jobs and going to school full time.

Family preceding Marie are parents, Charles and Elizabeth; maternal grandparents, James and Lottie Brooks Bealle; paternal grandparents, Charles Frank and Mary Nannie Hawkins Thompson; godparents uncle James and wife Mary Bealle; sisters, Mary Elise Smith, Dorothy Smith Lyles (James), Eizabeth Ann Smith Combs (Rodney), and Evelyn Theresa Smith; brothers, Ernest Nathaniel and Charles Anthony Smith (Delores); and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Miss Marie Paulette Smith’s earthly presence will be missed by her family, friends, classmates, and all who had an opportunity to make her acquaintance.