Gladys Black Smart

SMART, GLADYS BLACK passed away peacefully on November 20, 2014, at age 106, surrounded by her beloved family. She was born to Albert Franklin Black and June Adkins Black in rural Myra, West Virginia, on August 23, 1908, at the home of her paternal grandparents. Following her father's election as clerk of Lincoln County in 1914, the family moved from their country home to the county seat of Hamlin. Gladys, now seven, attended public schools for the first time, where her mother's home teaching led to her rapid advancement. She attended the new Carroll High School and graduated with honors. Gladys enrolled as a freshman at nearby Marshall College in Huntington, WV. But in March 1926, the family decided to move to Roswell, NM, hoping to improve her mother's declining health. Their stay in Roswell proved short because her parents wanted Gladys to continue her education in Albuquerque at UNM, then a small university with an excellent faculty. There Gladys was elected to Alpha Delta Pi, Sigma Alpha lota, and Mortarboard. She remained active with these groups after graduation in 1929 and served on the UNM Alumni Board for several years. After graduation, Gladys accepted a teaching position with APS at Longfellow School. A year later, she went to Bush Conservatory in Chicago for a music degree. Returning to Albuquerque, Gladys taught Music and English at Lincoln Junior High School before moving to Washington Junior High. When WWII began, Gladys started three years' service in the American Red Cross as Hospital Recreation Director at Fort Bliss, Biggs Field, Fort Leonard Wood, Camp Grant and Brooke Hospital in San Antonio. Once back home in Albuquerque, Gladys was appointed State Secretary for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. Traveling around New Mexico engendered her lifelong devotion to New Mexico, its people, scenery and history. Gladys also volunteered with the YMCA travel committee. Then she was persuaded by Charles Renfro, P.E. and Recreation Director, to return to APS to help establish a recreation program for the city schools. Through her acceptance of this offer, Gladys met Capt. Warren A. Smart, ROTC Director at Albuquerque High. They were married in March 1949. He was soon appointed to set up Valley High School as its first principal. In 1955 he died unexpectedly following surgery. Gladys considered her greatest asset to be her friends and family, her greatest joy traveling in New Mexico, and her greatest achievement raising, with the help of family and friends, three rewarding children, Sharon Smart Neuman (Dick), Warren Smart, and Kathy Smart Morgan (Bill). She is survived as well by four grandchildren, Owen Kellum, Sarah Rohde (Aaron), Emily Lamberson (Steve), and David Morgan as well as four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by sisters Jan Black Roche and Alta Black Briscoe and by brothers Al Black and Ed Black. Services will be held Tuesday, November 25 at 11:00 a.m. at First Methodist Church, 314 Lead Ave. SW, with reception and burial to follow. Her family sends special thanks to Margaret Fell of Special Live-in Care as well as Rita Christopherson. Kusang Chodon, MaryAnn Bogdonovich, and Sharon Jolly for their loving care. Instead of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the McCurdy School, 261 S. McCurdy Road, Espanola, NM 87532; or the Ronald McDonald House, 1011 Yale Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106; or to the charity of choice. To share memories with the family, please visit Gladys's online guestbook at . FRENCH - Westside 9300 Golf Course Rd NW 505-897-0300