Pearl Amy Smith

Pearl Estelle Amy Smith entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Monday, March 16, 2020. Mrs. Smith was born in Middlesex County, Virginia on April 14, 1930. She was the youngest of ten children born to Perry Hilliard and Laura (Johnson) Amy.
Mrs. Smith fell in love with math at an early age. She graduated valedictorian from St. Claire Walker High School. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and Masters of Science in Mathematics and Statistics from Virginia State College (now University). While attending Virginia State, she met her future husband, 1st Lt. Olie O. Smith of Westmoreland County. In 1953, she married Lt. Smith. Mrs. Smith taught Mathematics at Bishop College in Marshall, Texas. Later, the couple moved to Germany for 18 months. While there, she taught
Mathematics and English (sponsored by the University of Maryland) and delivered their first child. Upon returning to the states, Mrs. Smith taught Mathematics for one year at St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville, VA and then returned to her alma mater to teach Mathematics.
In 1963, Mrs. Smith was hired as a Mathematician for the Naval Weapons Laboratory in Dahlgren, VA. Mrs. Smith was a human computer, a “hidden figure” for the Navy. She wrote computer programs for the guidance systems of missiles fired from Naval ships. Prior to coming to Dahlgren, she had never seen a computer. During her career, she served her community as President of the King George Democratic Party, officer and President of the American Red Cross, Chair of the King George County Board of Zoning Appeals, member of the Waste Management Planning Committee, Secretary of the PTA, member of the design committee for the original King George Middle School, Chair of the KG High School Band Boosters, charter member and past President of the Xi Upsilon Omega Chapter, graduate chapter, of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in Fredericksburg, VA, member of PHA Order of the Eastern Stars and lifetime member of the NAACP. She retired from the Naval Surface Warfare Center after 31 years of service.
Mrs. Smith was proceeded in death by her husband of 51 years. Olie O. Smith and son, Dr. Timothy O. Smith. She is survived by two daughters, Gretna Y. Smith (Donna Cottrell Smith) of Virginia Beach, VA and Amy R. Smith of Spotsylvania, Virginia; one son, Thomas J. Louden of Fredericksburg, Virginia; one step grandson, Stephen K. Cottrell of Hopkinsville, KY; and her goddaughter, Chelsea Helms of Temecula, CA and one sister-in-law, Rose Amy of Middlesex, VA. As the matriarch of the Amy family, Mrs. Smith is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews.
A private service will be held with family on Saturday, March 28, 2020. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Red Cross.