Guffrie Matthew Smith Sr., 88, Scotland

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

Guffrie Matthew Smith Sr., 88, of Scotland died Oct. 25, 2009.

He was born June 1, 1921, in Scotland, the son of Bertha Holley Smith and Dozie Wood. He was the youngest of seven children.

He attended both Scotland and Jarboesville schools. He later left school to help support his family. He worked on his uncle's farm and later as a busboy at the Scotland Hotel.

He joined the U.S. Army on Nov. 25, 1942, and received an honorable discharge Oct. 30, 1945. He was a staff sergeant in the 92nd Infantry, where he served as a Buffalo Soldier. He received the World War II Victory Ribbon, Purple Heart Medal, Exemplary Service Medal and Efficiency Honor Fidelity Medal. During the war, his infantry was ambushed in the Alps in Italy, where 80 percent of his soldiers were killed.

He promised God and himself that if he made it back home from Italy, he would be a servant for God for the rest of his life.

After his discharge, he worked at the fire department at Patuxent River Naval Air Station.

He married Parthenia W. Barnes on Nov. 23, 1942. The couple had 17 children — 12 girls and five boys.

He was an entrepreneur. He was one of the first black owners of a trailer park, laundromat and barbershop in St. Mary's County. He attended night school at the county's vocational technical center adult education program and mastered skills as a carpenter, electrician and auto mechanic. He became a bus contractor for the public schools and drove a school bus for 48 years. He later began the Smith Charter Bus Service.

He will be remembered as a mild-mannered, considerate and kind man.

He was a lifetime member of the St. Mary's County Chapter of the NAACP and member of the Maryland Council of PTAs, 4-H Club, Disabled Veterans Association, Purple Heart Association, Joseph Egan Masonic Lodge #104 and bus contractors association.

During election time he served as an election official. He was a diehard Republican and enjoyed debating politics. He was member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church and held several positions, including administrative board chairman, trustee and choir member. He was also an adviser to the county commissioner in the First District.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Guffrie Smith Jr. (Casey) of St. Leonard, Marva Johnson (Reno) of Upper Marlboro, Zerita Shade of St. Inigoes, Alberta Smith of Forestville, Orlando Smith (Donna) of Minneapolis, Beulah Barnes of Scotland, Eugene Smith (Joyce) of Dale City, Va., Desiree Berry (Paul) and Ramona Smother, both of Scotland, Holly Powell (Larry) of Lanham, Aaron Smith (Gloria) of Scotland, Wendy Morton (Terry) and Vivian Smith of Lexington Park, Shayne Smith, William Smith (Jeanne) and Cindy Smith, all of Scotland; 34 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents and siblings, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Mae Helen Bennett; grandsons, Paul "June" Johnson and William Lucas Smith Jr.; and son-in-law, William Shade Jr..

The family received friends and a funeral service was held Oct. 29 at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Scotland. The Rev. Leroy Boldley officiated.

Interment followed at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Southern Maryland Regional Office, 513 E. Charles St., La Plata, MD 20646.

Arrangements were handled by Brinsfield Funeral Home in Leonardtown.