Dr. Solomon Stephen Smith

Dr. Solomon Stephen Smith, of Edmond, Oklahoma, passed away at home on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at the age of 76. He was born in Ikot Okpoudo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria on October, 18, 1947. Dr. Smith met his wife, Maria Agnes Eno Essien, while he was a graduate student and she was an undergraduate student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1979. They married and had six wonderful children together. Dr. Smith left Nigeria after earning a diploma in Cost and Management Accounting and passing Parts I & II Examinations of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, England in 1969 to attend Southwest Missouri State University in 1970, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics in 1972. He continued his education and received a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1974 followed by a PhD in Economics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1982. Dr. Smith worked as an Actuarial Assistant for General Life Insurance, St. Louis, Mo, from 1973 to 1974; he worked as an Actuarial Research Analyst for Blue Cross Hospital Service, Inc. in St. Louis from 1975 to 1978.

After completing his PhD, he began his career in academia as an Assistant Professor of Economics (1982-1986) at Fayetteville State University. He also worked as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Finance at Golden Gate University on Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville, N.C. from 1985-1986 before returning to Nigeria with his wife and young children in 1986. While in Nigeria, Dr. Smith was a Lecturer at the University of Calabar (1986-1988). Setting his sights on a more stable environment for his growing family, he took his wife and children back to the United States where he joined the faculty at Fisk University as an Assistant Professor (1988-1990), Associate Professor/Director (1991-1997), and Professor/Director (1997-1998) in the Business Administration department. During his tenure at Fisk he received multiple awards for his administration and support of students. After serving at Fisk University for 10 years, upon the advice of Dr. Henry Ponder, former President of Fisk University, Dr. Smith accepted the position of Dean of Langston University’s School of Business in 1998. Upon retiring as Dean, Dr. Smith remained on the faculty of Langston’s School of Business as a professor until illness prevented him from working in 2018. Dr. Smith was a Licensed International Finance Analyst, a Fellow in Business Economics at the University of Chicago, a Fellow at the Aspen Institute and received certification from Harvard University’s Management Development Program. He was dedicated to helping both his students and his children in their academic endeavors. He was invested in his children’s education and encouraged them to pursue higher education. Dr. Smith was also a great supporter of his beloved wife as she pursued higher education and eventually earned a doctorate degree.

Dr. Smith was raised in a Christian home, supported by the help of Christians in Nigeria and the US, and remained a Christian throughout his life. He served many roles in the churches he attended, from singing in the choir, to serving as an elder in Belmont Church in Nashville, Tennessee and teaching Sunday School with his wife at LifeChurch in Edmond, Oklahoma. He was also a member of the Akwa Ibom State Association in Oklahoma City. Dr. Smith enjoyed spending time with his family, especially with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed reading, teaching, cooking holiday meals for his family and watching country western movies. He loved watching American football, baseball and basketball. He is preceded in death by his parents Stephen Smith and Affiong Udia Smith; his sisters Adiaha Smith and Mercy Smith; and his brother David Smith. He is survived by his wife Maria Smith and his six children: Emmanuella Smith, Natica Smith, Solomon E. Smith and his wife Katelyn Stewart, Lucy Smith, Jessica Smith and her husband Ebitimi Etebu, Jr., and Dr. Faye Goodchild and her husband Eric Goodchild. He is also survived by his four adorable grandchildren: Teegan Steward, Ari Nash-Smith, Elijah Goodchild, and William Solomon Goodchild; his four dear step-siblings: Glory S. Smith, Godwin S. Smith, Patience Sylvester Tom and Michael S. Smith; his beloved in-laws the Essiens, the Etebus, The Goodchilds, and the Stewarts; cousins, nephews and nieces; friends, colleagues, brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Dr. Smith was a loving husband (Aebe!), a committed father and grandfather. He was a generous and godly man, a leader in his space and a role model to many. We will always appreciate and remember him. He fought the good fight of faith for which we thank and praise the Almighty God for his amazing life.

A visitation for Solomon will be held Friday, June 28, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Baggerley Funeral Home, 930 South Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034, with a Wake taking place in the reception hall from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 10:00 am Baggerly Funeral Home located at 930 South Broadway in Edmond, OK.

Solomon will be laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery, 13400 N. Kelley Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with a reception to follow at Memorial Park Funeral Home.