Doris Nash Austin- Smith

DORIS AUSTIN SMITH slipped into eternal rest on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. She fought a good fight, she finished the course and she kept the faith (II Timothy 4:7), "She did it her way." Doris' life story began on April 26, 1925. She was born to Matthew and Ellen Nash Austin in Montclair, New Jersey. Her parents relocated to Atlantic City, New Jersey where Doris received her early education and graduated from Atlantic City High School;, Class of 1943. Doris continued her education at Morgan State College where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1947. She earned the Master of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, and graduate credits from Johns Hopkins University. During her thirty-two year teaching career in Baltimore City Public Schools she was Demonstration Teacher, Supervising Teacher and Senior Teacher. Administrative assignments included Summer School Principal, Program Coordinator and Workshop Coordinator. On the recommendation of principal, Mr. William Nollert, Doris was listed in the Outstanding Teachers of America Yearbook 1975. She retired in 1980. She was the author of the article "Language Experience Approach to Reading" and co-author of the "Language Centered Program to Learning," a pilot kindergarten program at School 48. Her Christian journey began at age 16 when she was baptized at Union Baptist Temple in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She later joined Berea Temple of Seventh Day Adventists where she was a member of the Sabbath School and the Dorcas Society. A college woman of ability and character, Doris became a member of the Alpha Delta Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority on May 7, 1945. She enjoyed her fellowships with "The Ten of Us," a social club with missionary emphasis. Doris was predeceased by her husband, William G. Smith, whom she married on November 8, 1958. Her humble and kind spirit endeared her to all who will cherish her memory: sisters, Mary Elizabeth Austin and Ruth Austin Waller (Jimmy); nieces, Lynette Gabriel (William), Claudia Waller and Tracy Williams (Terry); nephews, Jimmy R. Waller, Jr., William Beaumont and Bernell Austin; special great-nieces and great-nephews, Nakia Waller, Barry Waller, Amber Foreman (Lorenzo), Brittney Harrell, Brien Harrell and Julian Waller; special cousins, John, James, Archie, Ann and Mary; special friends, Dale and Cynthia Webb, Ometa Lee, Edward and Nadena Holden, Annie McDonald, Dorothy and Bennie Hill; her church family and many friends.

Tributes

Doris Nash Austin- Smith

April 26, 1925 - October 18, 2005