Frances Broadway Smith

Ms. Smith was the second child and only daughter born to the late Jesse Gaston Broadway and Lenora Barnett Broadway. She was born on December 2, 1930, and grew up at 107 Spruce Street and 531 Finley Avenue in Montgomery. She also spent countless summer days on her grandmother’s family farm in Mathews, Alabama.

Ms. Smith graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in May 1949, and thereafter, attended college at The University of Montevallo, (then known as “Alabama College”), which at that time was an all-women’s college. Ms. Smith graduated from The University of Montevallo in May 1953. She was the second woman in her family to both attend college, and graduate from college, inasmuch as her mother, Lenora Barnett Broadway, attended college at The Women’s College of Alabama, (now Huntingdon College), from which she graduated in May 1927.

On November 23, 1952, Ms. Smith married her husband of sixty-five years, Wallace Lee Smith, at Cloverdale Baptist Church in Montgomery. After following her husband with his career as an insurance claims specialist in both Dothan and Decatur, Alabama, they returned to Montgomery County, (and Ms. Smith’s family farm in Mathews, Alabama), which became their home for the rest of their lives.

Ms. Smith, like her mother before her, pursued an early career as a teacher, teaching Kindergarten at Spring Valley Baptist Church, and is still today remembered by some of her former students as a warm and affectionate Kindergarten teacher.

Ms. Smith was a life-long member of the Cloverdale Baptist Church, (which her grandparents helped found), where she taught the Broadway Sunday School Class for many years. Ms. Smith was also a founding and life-long member of the Pike Road Civic Club and a member of the Women’s Missionary Union.

She is preceded in death by her husband of sixty-five years, Wallace Lee Smith, her son, Wallace Lee Smith, Jr., her daughter-in-law, Deborah Johnson Smith, her older brother, Jesse Gaston Broadway, Jr., her niece, Peggy Phelps, as well as her parents and grandparents.

Ms. Smith is survived by her daughter, Lynn Talkington of Montgomery, Alabama (Scott); three grandchildren, Michael Sanders (Lindsay) of Seattle, Washington; Chelsea Smith of Albany, Georgia; and Lauren Talkington of Auburn, Alabama; and a great grandson, Gideon Lee Sanders, who lives with his parents in Seattle, Washington.

Ms. Smith is also survived by her loving sister-in-law, Alice V. Smith of Montgomery, Alabama, and nephews Richard Phelps and Joe and John Broadway, as well as great niece Heather Phelps Formby (John) all of whom reside in Montgomery County, Alabama.

Ms. Smith’s family would likewise be remiss in not expressing their deep gratitude to her caregivers for the immeasurable love and devotion they provided to both her and her family during her lengthy illness. Those caregivers being Ms. Angel Kendrick, Ms. Dorothy Kiser, Ms. Mamie McGuire, and Ms. Joyce Rogers.

In addition to being reunited with her husband and members of her family, Ms. Smith is now also reunited with her loyal and loving canine companion of many years, “Pete”, who crossed the “Rainbow Bridge” in March and is surely waiting for her.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ms. Smith’s memory to the Cloverdale Baptist Church and the Montgomery Humane Society.

A visitation is set for Tuesday, June 22, 2021, from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at Leak Memory Chapel. A graveside celebration of life will follow at 11:00 AM in Greenwood Cemetery with Rev. Brian Miller officiating. Pallbearers will be Joe Broadway, John Broadway, Cole Formby, John Formby, Richard Phelps and Tim Phelps. Online condolences may be shared at: www.Leak-MC.com