Mildred Vernell Smith

Mildred Vernel Smith passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at Altercare Nursing Home in Canal Winchester, Ohio following a lengthy illness. 

She was born on February 5,1941 in Circleville, Ohio to John Henry and Alice (Smith) Locklear. Mildred was the 3rd of 5 children born to John and Alice. She attended Columbus Public Schools and earned the nickname of “Mama” due to her maturity at an early age.

On August 18,1956 Mildred married her longtime sweetheart, Jerome Wesley Smith. There were five children born to this union. This marriage ended in divorce. Mildred worked as a telephone operator for Ohio Bell Telephone Company; a job consultant for CMACAO and worked for Columbus Public Schools and managed some local clubs.

In the mid-1980’s Mildred moved to Glen Burnie, Maryland where she lived for several years working for Arbitron Rating Company and as a teacher’s assistant. She relocated back to Columbus in the late 1990’s.

Mildred had a beautiful singing voice and sang in the choir at Macedonia Baptist Church. She was a talented seamstress. She enjoyed making clothes for her children even while they were adults. She loved her family, and they loved her. She was a member of Jerusalem Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church.

Mildred is preceded in death by son, Dustin Keith; parents, John Henry and Alice (Smith) Locklear; brother, Elmer Locklear, Sr.; sister, Glenda Rose; loving stepfather, Charles Fields; and dear sister-in-law, Dorothy Locklear.

She is survived by her daughter: Kim Lorine Smith (Thomas Minnis); sons: Jerome Wesley (Karla) Smith Jr.; Tony Victor (Mia) Smith; Duncan Ray (Theda) Smith. Brother, Robert Locklear, Sr. and sister, Dorothy Fountain; 11 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.