Sallie Teen Pugh West Smith was born April 15, 1923, to the union of Herbert
and Carrie White Pugh. God kept his promise found in Ephesians 6:2-3, “Honor your
father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it
may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” God extended
His amazing grace by giving her 99 years and 8 months of longevity. She was the
first born and last called of ten siblings, all the others having predeceased her. She
was baptized at an early age by Rev. Ralph Wilson, at St. John Baptist Church in
Mansfield, Louisiana.
A Time to Plant
Sallie received her primary education at Desoto Parish Training School. Sallie
graduated in 1944 Summa Cum Laude from Southern University where she
received her Bachelor of Arts in Education degree. In 1946, Sallie married John
Arthur West. On August 6, 1947, she gave birth to her only child, a son, John Arthur
West, Jr. During the ensuing years, Sallie’s career as a TEACHER flourished at J.S.
Clark Elementary School in Zwolle, La. Her Master of Arts in Reading degree was
awarded by Tuskegee Institute in 1958.
In 1963, Sallie married Joseph Smith, Jr. eventually relocating to Grand
Prairie, Texas where she taught at R.L. Thornton Elementary School until she
retired.
A Time to Serve
Sallie was obedient to Jesus’ instruction at Matthew 28:19-20 to “Go ye
therefore, and TEACH all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost TEACHING them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you.” Sallie TAUGHT the Adult Women’s Sunday School Class and
Vacation Bible School for numerous years at St. John Baptist Church in Mansfield,
La.
Upon moving to Dallas, Sallie joined the Good Street Baptist Church, the
renown Rev. Caesar Clark, Pastor. Here, she faithfully and diligently pursued her
Kingdom work for over 25 years. She TAUGHT Sunday School, sang in the choir,
facilitated Women’s Ministry lessons, helped with Vacation Bible School and was a
member of the Sisterhood. She especially enjoyed working with the Special
People’s Ministry.
As she grew in her spiritual walk, she learned to be faithful in tithes and
offerings, to be a “cheerful giver” to charities, orphans and anyone in need. Prayer
was her modus operandi for blessings and trials. Be it a small study group or the 1
o’clock prayer line, Sallie was there. She adored and respected her past and present
pastors, Rev. Ronald Anglin and Rev. Eddie Jenkins.
Her love of mankind was made manifest in countless ways, most notably in
sending encouraging and thought-provoking greeting cards. Teacher that she was,
Sallie was an ardent student of the Bible and an avid reader of books and articles
about her Savior. Later, she would give the books to those the Spirit directed she
do so. Her favorite book in the Bible was the Psalms.
Sallie was initiated in the Epsilon Chapter of Eta Phi Beta in the Spring of
1978. Over the years, she served as Second Anti-Basileus, Tamias, Historian, and
Chaplain. Her civic and charitable work included American Cancer Society volunteer
and the Citizens Advisory Committee for Mental Retardation Services. She received
the Dream Maker’s Award from the Southeast Dallas Business and Professional
Women’s Club.
A Time to Love
Sallie’s love of family was unparalleled. She was a matriarch who routinely
demanded that family members call each other for fellowship. She welcomed every
relative who migrated to Dallas, many of whom stayed with her while relocating.
She was a fierce proponent of family reunions having hosted or attended all of
them until her health impaired her ability to travel. Nieces, nephews and their
offspring brought joy to her heart and she mandated that pictures of each of them
be taken and sent to her regularly.
Sallie is survived and mourned by her 75 year old servant of a son, John, who
unselfishly denied himself and put her care first and foremost as her health
deteriorated. There would be no nursing home for Sallie. She was preceded in
death by her husband of 42 years, Joseph Smith, Jr., sisters, Enola Pugh
Douglas(Rev. Claude), Clarice Pugh Sapp, Lucy Delia Pugh Sanders, Maude Pugh,
Daisy Jane Pugh Watts(Booker T.), Juanita Rachel Pugh Magee(Elton), Carrie Mae
Pugh Franklin(Carrell), Jimmie Lee Pugh, and brothers, Herman Pugh, Horace Pugh,
Herbert Pugh, Jr.(Ruth), Charles Richard Pugh(Orlando) and George James
Pugh(Lebertha). She leaves to mourn two step-grandsons, Chauncey Smith and
Michael Smith, a godson, Hugh Elliot Hayden, 9 nieces and 8 nephews, her Sorority
Sisters from the Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Epsilon Chapter, her daily prayer partners
and countless church and personal friends
