Melba Smith's Obituary
Melba Smith, 69 of Fayetteville, AR died in New York City on March 20, 2014. She was born January 15, 1945 in Fayetteville, AR to Edgar Smith and Minerva (Hoover) Morgan.
She was a 1963 graduate of Fayetteville High School, attended AM&N College in Pine Bluff, AR where she received a degree in Business Administration and was a cheerleader.
Melba also served as Seminar Designer for the Women’s Division of the United Methodist Church and Resource Coordinator for Southern Africa for United Methodist Women at the United Nations. Her work for human rights encompassed deep understanding of the political spectrum at home and across the world, placing her in the sphere of world leaders and great thinkers from President Nelson Mandela and President Bill Clinton to the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Following retirement, Melba continued to advocate for human rights, especially for women and children. She was a founding member of the United Nations African Mothers Association, which raises support for women and children in Africa, the Campaign for U.S. Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Northwest Arkansas African American Heritage Association, which documents and preserves African American history as American history for current and future generations.
She is survived by her sister, Patricia Polk, her nieces Melinda Bridges, great nieces, Theressa Bridges and Raven Petty, and a host of cousins, friends, and colleagues.
Funeral services will be held 10:00AM, Thursday, April 3rd at Sequoyah Methodist Church in Fayetteville with Reverend Sara Pair officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Cemetery in Fayetteville.
Donations may be made in Melba’s memory to NWA African American Heritage Assn, [a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt org.] c/o Arkansas Archeological Survey, 2475 N Hatch Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72704 or the United Nations African Mothers Association, 777 UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017
To sign the online guest book please visit www.nelsonberna.com
Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home & Crematory of Fayetteville
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