Women of distinction/Chapter 80

CHAPTER LXXX.

MRS. WILLIE ANN SMITH.

Mrs. Willie Ann Smith, nee Burnett, was born in Goldsboro, N. C., of pious parents. She exhibited an early love for books and was a remarkably apt pupil. Her intellectual aspirations and moral endowments soon reached a degree of prominence in the school and community to call forth frequent commendations, and gained

MRS. WILLIE ANN SMITH.

for her the deepest interest of her teachers and the highest respect of her acquaintances.

When quite a child she read and re-read the Bible, "Pilgrim's Progress," "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and other publications which cultivated a taste and inspired an abiding love for the pure and the good.

After completing her education Miss Burnett was married to Mr. E. E. Smith, with whom she has lived happily, sharing alike with him life's bitters and sweets.

A faithful wife, a devoted mother and an accomplished lady render her a model of her sex and the fond idol of her pleasant home, where she is wont to receive her large circle of admiring friends. As a teacher in the graded schools of her native city she has taken rank with the progressive and industrious instructors, Mrs. Smith has written some essays and articles for the press of real merit. She is a cogent reasoner, a deep thinker, and always handles her subjects in a masterly manner, which never fails to fascinate and sway her hearers. She reads extensively, retains what she reads, and is, therefore, a lady of varied information on live issues. Mrs. Smith has traveled considerably in the United States as well as abroad. She has enjoyed the distinction of visiting many cities and settlements in Liberia and other sections of Africa. She presided as mistress of the United States Legation and Consulate General near the government of the Republic of Liberia with grace and dignity, in which capacity she was brought into contact with the most cultured, refined and prominent ladies of that country. She has from time to time been elected president of various organizations of the women of her State. She was at one time chosen Most Eminent Grand Matron of the M. E. G. C. of the Eastern Star of North Carolina, where she showed executive powers of no mean order. Mrs. Smith is a zealous and consistent temperance advocate, having been connected with temperance organizations from childhood. She is a modest, affable, benevolent, Christian lady, whose hand of charity is never closed. She is an ardent lover of her race, and entertains high hopes for its future glory, for the achievement of which she is a persistent laborer.