Alberta J. Smith 1933-2024

She was born on Oct. 5, 1933, a daughter of William James and Priscilla Mae Ellick, in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

She met and later married Allen Lloyd Smith. The two childhood friends lived in the same neighborhood and went to the same schools as they were growing up.

The couple moved to Cleveland in 1953, where they had two sons, James Allen and Raymond Louis Smith.

She worked diligently at University Hospital for more than 50 years and would have worked longer if not for personal health challenges.

Order, frugality, having good home-cooked meals and bringing a smile to others were always important aspects of Alberta’s world. She often stated with a smile, “I’ll always have enough money to buy me a Baby Ruth.”

Alberta was a religious woman and an active member of Morelight Missionary Baptist Church, 3075 E. 116th St., Cleveland, OH 44120. Alberta served on a variety of church committees.

She was extremely proud of her children and provided a household full of love.

The couple provided numerous opportunities for their children to grow. They taught them the importance of respecting others, the meaning of hard work and to value education.

Alberta is survived by her husband, Allen; sons, James Allen and Susan Smith, and Raymond Louis and Vernice Smith; stepdaughter, Linda Alexander; grandchildren, Jason Smith, Kareen and DeMarcus Levy, Saburah and Charles Okoye, and Zinga Wilson; step-grandchildren, Branden Alexander, Sherod Hamilton and Wyshawn Hamilton; sisters, Leola and Neeley Carter of Hawthorne, California, and Maria and Keith McCain of Joliet, Illinois; uncle, Herbert Lee Billinger of Victorville, California; great-grandchildren, Lydia, Isabella, Ellianna and Nathanael Smith, Naomi, Olivia and Jaimie Levy, Zen, Gabrielle and Daniel Williams, and Ellis and Clarke Okoye, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, many other family members and a special family friend, Roberta Cooke.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William James and Priscilla Mae Ellick; and siblings, William Ellick Jr., Robert Ellick, Edie Ellick and Booker Robinson.

There will be an opportunity for a public visitation from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2024, at H.M. Martin Funeral Home, 3856 E. 131st St., Cleveland, OH 44120.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Morelight Missionary Baptist Church. Family will greet visitors at 10 a.m., one half-hour prior to funeral services. Elder Eric K. Tysinger will officiate the service.

Special thanks to Nurse June and the Hospice staff of the Western Reserve, Home Instead Care Giving and Genevieve Mayhew, for her care during her final weeks.

The burial will be in Cleveland Memorial Gardens, 4324 Green Road, Cleveland, OH 44128 .

HM Martin Funeral Home, 3856 East 131st, Cleveland, OH 44120, is handling the burial services.

(special notice)