Loretta Mae Smith

Loretta Mae Howard Smith was the youngest of two girls born to Wood-row Austin and Gladys Inez Howard on April 1, 1945, in Gary, Indiana. After the untimely passing of their mother in 1955, Loretta and her older sister, Rose Marie, were raised by her mother’s youngest sister, Hazel Cummings. Hazel and Fred Cummings welcomed both girls into their family and raised them alongside their only child, Sandra Cummings.

Loretta was a product of the Gary Community School Corporation. She attended Roosevelt High School where she focused on Business Technology. She participated in the Future Business Leaders of America Club. She and her classmates graduated from Roosevelt High in 1963 utilizing the song “Our Day Will Come” as their future motto for life.

Shortly after graduation, with limited employment options available in Gary, Loretta decided to take the Air Force Exam. She passed and therefore committed herself to one term of enlistment in the Air Force. She completed eight weeks of rigorous training. After graduation from Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Loretta was then chosen to enroll into the Air Force Administrative Specialist School in Amarillo, Texas. This program allowed her to learn the specialized communications and processes that the Air Force utilized. During her term of enlistment, Loretta earned three stripes. She was very proud of her accomplishments and earned a newfound sense of independence. Seeking more professional training, Loretta continued her education by taking courses and earning a certification in Business at San Antonio College.

Another benefit of enlisting in the Air Force was meeting her future spouse, SSgt. Shade Lee Smith. They married in 1967 in San Antonio Texas after Loretta was Honorably Discharged from the Air Force. They began raising a family, and were blessed with two daughters, Sabrina, and Sherelle. As a military spouse, Loretta moved with her family to several destinations such as Iowa, Indiana, and even overseas to Guam. She supported her husband within the USAF allowing him to reach 20 years of service. After the dissolution of their marriage, Loretta returned to Gary, Indiana, to receive support from her extended family with raising her daughters. She continued to develop herself professionally by taking courses at Ivy Tech and Indiana University Northwest while raising her daughters and working a full-time job.

Loretta held many varied positions throughout her lifetime, including US Steel, Amoco Oil in Whiting, and the Veteran’s Administration in Chicago, Illinois. Her primary work experience was acquired at the United States Postal Service as a Computer Forwarding Specialist for 15 years. She retired from this position in 2001. Upon retirement, Loretta moved to Indianapolis, Indiana and built her first home. She devoted her time to supporting her adult daughters and nurturing her grandchildren, Ryan and Sydney Williams. She worked part time at Costco Demonstration Services and continued to volunteer in Pike Township elementary schools as a reading tutor. Loretta was very active in supporting her grandchildren’s activities and programs. She enjoyed travelling with her family on cruises, painting pottery, reading autobiographies, historical books, and listening to “Old School” R&B.

Loretta was a member of St. Timothy Community Church. While a member there, Loretta participated in the April Birthday Group to raise money for scholarships and provided tutoring for students. Loretta was a very active parent. She was a member of the Parent Teacher Association for both Roosevelt and West Side High Schools. The Gary Community School Corporation awarded her with a plaque for “Outstanding Parent” for her tremendous amount of parental involvement and volunteerism. Loretta was a member and served as Recording Secretary of the mother’s support group, Xinos Beams, a High School guidance group for college geared young ladies. In Indianapolis, Loretta devoted her time to The Sister Soldier Network, an organization that celebrates the honors and experiences of minority service women to our country. Loretta helped to enhance the visibility of Black women who served and their contributions to all branches of the Armed Services. Her story and military photos were once featured at the Crispus Attucks African American Museum. Loretta was also an active participant of the 1963 Roosevelt Lady Panthers and was also an active member of the Roosevelt Class of 1963 Prayer Support Group.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Woodrow Austin and Gladys Inez Howard, her aunt and uncle, Fred and Hazel Cummings, and cousin, Sandra Cummings. She is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Sabrina Williams, MD (Raifael) and Sherelle Smith; grandson, Ryan X. Williams; granddaughter, Sydney S. Williams; sister, Rose Marie Williamson; nephew, David Williamson (Yvonne) and great-niece, Courtney; cousin, Darrin Cummings; former spouse, TSgt Shade Smith; a host of relatives and special friends. Loretta was respected and loved by all who knew her.