Mildred H. (Owens) Smithers

Mildred Helen (Owens) Smithers was born on July 15, 1919 to Ralph and Lucille (Goins) Owens. The family lived in the small coal mining community of Redfield, Ohio. Mildred was the fourth of eleven children. As a child, Mildred's family moved around in the areas of the coalfields of Perry and Morgan Counties, eventually settling in Rendville, Ohio. In 1937, at the age of 18, Mildred moved to Columbus, Ohio to seek employment. Here she met and married Oral Lester Smithers. Lester, as he was known to his friends and relatives, was also from Rendville. From this devoted marriage two sons, O. Lester Jr. and Ralph Walter; and two daughters, Vickie Brenda and Veronica May were born. Mildred dedicated her life to raising and caring for her family. Raised in a Christian family, Mildred at an early age dedicated her life to serving the Lord. She received her Holy Baptism on August 8, 1943. She was a long time member of Mount Vernon Avenue A.M.E. Church where she was active until her illness prevented her from attending. Her church activities included the Mother's Club, Senior Usher Board, Regeneration Choir, and serving on the 4th Stewardess Board. At the age 93, Mildred departed her earthly life on Thursday, February 21, 2013 from New Albany Garden Care Center in Columbus, Ohio. In addition to her husband and parents, Mildred was preceded in death by her brothers, Charles, Ralph, Harold, Raymond and Leroy Owens, and sisters, Frances McDade, Edith Malone-Mitchell, and Jean Holbert. Left to cherish memories of Mildred are her four children, O. Lester (Priscilla) Smithers, Jr., Ralph W. (Carole) Smithers, Vickie B. Smithers, and Veronica M. (Charles) Bryant; sisters Vivian Owens Reynolds and Shirley (Jim) Holbert; grandchildren, Sheila (Troy) Taylor, Lisa (Roderick) Smithers-Cambridge, Ralph (Pamela) Smithers, Jr., Todd (lreen) Smithers, Cynthia Smithers, Vanessa (Ugo) Nwankwo, Angela Bryant, Charles Bryant, Jr.; great grandchildren: Troy Taylor II, Alexander Smithers, Zachary Smithers, Audrey Smithers, Kaelyn Smithers, Victoria Nwankwo; brother-in-law David Holbert; sister-in-law Peggy Owens; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.