Harriette Smith

Atlanta, GA- Harriette Ilene Smith (Brown), a devoted mother, beloved sister, and vibrant spirit, transitioned peacefully the morning of March 9th 2026, at the age of 81. Born on September 22nd 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio, Harriette was the fifth of fourteen children born to the late Cornelius Brown Sr. and Lois Brown. Growing up in a bustling household on Scoville Avenue, she learned early on the values of family, resilience, and taking care of others, qualities that would define her remarkable life.

Harriette was a woman of deep faith, quiet strength and endless energy. She was a proud graduate of East Technical High School in Cleveland, where she met and later married Joseph A. Smith. Although they eventually parted ways, they shared two wonderful sons, Wesley Jamison and Andre Tremaine, the two of which remained the absolute center of her world until her final breath. In the mid-eighties the Smith family relocated South to Charlotte, North Carolina, where Harriette remained the rest of her adult life and where she eventually retired as a teacher’s aid from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public School System. Her love for children extended far beyond her own family, as she dedicated her career to nurturing and guiding the students in her care.

To know Harriette was to know a woman who was fiercely independent and wonderfully unique. She was a self-sufficient soul who preferred to fix things herself, whether that meant working in the yard or tackling home repairs. Her family fondly remembers her active nature; she was known to rollerblade in her driveway well into her seventies and she once famously got stuck on her roof while cleaning the gutters, telling her neighbor she would "jump in the bushes" if she could not get back in through her bedroom window!

Harriette had a flair for life and a competitive edge. In her younger years, she followed in her sister Vivian's footsteps as a gifted athlete, playing basketball for the "Pigtails" and "The Daisy Mazes" at the local recreation center, and running track, where she was known for her flawless form over the hurdles. She even had a brief stint in acting, proudly appearing as an extra in a TV show alongside her son Andre. She always carried herself with the grace and stature of a runway model. By the way, America’s Top Model was one of her favorite shows back in the day.  

She was also a woman of simple pleasures. She loved hunting for treasures at flea markets and the Goodwill(especially on Tuesday the day they honored the senior discounts), cheering for the Cleveland and Charlotte based football and basketball teams and doing arts and crafts. She was deeply frugal but immensely generous with her time and care. She frequently volunteered at the Senior Citizen’s home, performing fashion shows and talent shows. When her great-aunt Honey developed dementia, Harriette took her in and cared for her until she transitioned. Her younger siblings fondly viewed her as a second mother, a role she embraced with love. 

Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. A devoted Christian, she was a longtime member of Saint John AME Church in Cleveland, then Greater Bethel AME in Charlotte. She was a devoted servant of God and the church. A kind and gentle soul who loved the Lord and lived her life as a testament to his grace.

Above all, Harriette’s legacy is rooted in her fierce love for her family. Her sister Laverne beautifully described their bond, noting that while they had a "rocky beginning" as children, they found a profound connection in motherhood, eventually calling each other frequently, just like their mother and her sister, Aunt Honey. Harriette’s devotion to her two boys was unmatched. A favorite family memory recalls a young Wesley and Andre holding onto each of her legs and crying loudly to keep her from leaving the house. In many ways, they held onto her for dear life and she held onto them just as tightly.

Granny Smith, as she affectionately became known as to her grandchildren, leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and unbreakable family ties. She is survived by her devoted sons, Wesley Smith (Denise) and Andre Smith; her beloved grandchildren, Shea Jacobson, Kevin Washington Jr., and Zara Smith; her treasured great-grandchildren, Shane Jacobson, Nathyn Jacobson, Jett Jacobson and Benjamin Jacobson; and her former husband, Joseph Aron Smith.

She also leaves to cherish her memory her living siblings and their families: Cornelius "Neal” Brown Jr., Nelson Brown, Lawrence Brown, Carley Brown, Anita Laverne Eppinger, Karen Taylor  and Lois Wood along with a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family who will miss her dearly.

She is now joyfully reunited in heaven with her parents, Cornelius Sr. and Lois, and her transitioned siblings: Frederick, Vivian, Donald, Gregory, Darryl, and Leon.

Harriette Smith lived a life full of motion, purpose, and love. She will be deeply missed, but her vibrant spirit whether she is leaping over hurdles, rollerblading down the driveway, or watching over her family will live on in our hearts forever.

Service is Entrusted to Paradise Mortuary and Cremation Services, 463 Atlanta St SE, Marietta, GA 30060

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