Dr. Mark Hanna Smith Jr.

Dr. Mark Hanna Smith, Jr, Southfield, MI – Aged 89 Dr. Mark Hanna Smith Jr. was born on September 1, 1932 to Mark and Lucille Smith in Burnside, MS. His family moved in his early years to Alabama, and then to Detroit. He graduated from Northwestern High School in 1950 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 – 1958. He was an All-American athlete in track and field. Dr. Smith earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Wayne State University. He was a life-long member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., crossing the burning sands in the fall of 1955 at Wayne State University's Alpha Beta Chapter. His line was known as the “Strolling Scrollers!” Dr. Smith married Patricia Anderson on November 24, 1963. After a career in teaching, Dr. Smith broke barriers by becoming the first black principal at Cortland Elementary School in Highland Park, Michigan. Immediately upon receiving his Ph.D. in Education from Ohio State University in 1969, Dr. Smith began working as a professor of Education and Associate Dean at Wayne State University until his retirement in 1997. He was inducted into the Wayne State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1979. Dr. Smith passed away on February 22, 2022. He was an athlete, a Navy veteran, a business owner, an elementary school principal, a professor, and Associate Dean at Wayne State University. Dr. Smith lived a life of service to the educational community. His intelligence, humor, wisdom, and kindness will not be forgotten. Dr. Smith is survived by his wife Patricia Smith, his children, Mark III, Kevin, and Katrina Smith, his daughter-in-law Helen Smith, and his grandchildren, Kelsey, Benjamin, and Olivia. He will be greatly missed by his family. Kemp Funeral Home & Cremation Services 24585 Evergreen Rd Southfield, MI 48075 Instructions for Webcasted Services 1. Go to Kempfuneralhome.com 2. Click on your loved one’s tribute page 3. Click on the photos & videos or Media Tab on the tribute page 4. There will be a link that shows up 15 minutes prior to your loved one’s funeral service. 5. Once you click on the link, the host will need to let you into the live stream 6. Please call the funeral home if you need any additional help logging into the webcast.

Dr. Mark Hanna Smith Jr.

September 1, 1932 - February 22, 2022