Matilda Cole Smith
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 Matilda Smith in Seattle |
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Matilda Cole Smith
Matilda Smith in SeattleBorn: January 13, 1888 Died: May 30, 1972
Matilda Cole was the daughter of Parthenia Kirk and Enoch Hampton Cole. She was born on January 13, 1888, in Cherokee, Alabama. At age 16, she married Percy Hampton. He was 23. The couple moved to Russellville, Alabama because Matilda because she didn't like farming and the country. There their first son, James, was born. They had 10 children in all: James, Ola Mae, Juanita, Hattie, Osceola, Percy, John T., Theresa Lucille, Annie Mabel, and Calvin. Percy Hampton died in December, 1927, as a result of complications after being injured working at a factory. He was unable to receive proper medical attention, and died at home. Matilda and Percy were married 24 years. Matilda supported her family by providing laundry services and doing domestic work for a Miss Grimes.The winter of 1934 was a cold, hard winter. It was the middle of the depression and Matilda told her kids that she wouldn't be able to get them anything for Christmas. One day, when she was making snow ice cream, she saw a man get off the train and come walking toward the house. It was her friend, Mr. R.S. Smith. He had been out riding the trains looking for work. He had been picking cotton all over the south, sleeping outside to save money. He took Matilda downtown, and the kids had a good Christmas, and they liked Mr. Smith from then on. R.S. and Matilda were married on February 11, 1934. She always called him "Mr. Smith." Click here to see Marriage Certificate.
Church and Travels
Matilda was very active in the First Baptist church of Sheffield. She was a member of the missionary society. During the 40s, she was superintendent of the Sunday school at First Baptist Sheffield. She was also a member of the Sunday evening circle and the benevolent society. Her civic activities included the Court of Calanthe, and early black women's organization. Matilda suffered a stroke during Sunday school on New Year's Sunday, in 1955. Her daughter Lucille's recalls after hearing the news, rushing to the Detroit train station with her husband Percy who purchased her a round trip train ticket to Sheffield ($38). Percy put her and her baby, Rita on the train first, jumping the line a bit. She was in Sheffield by early the next morning.
Matilda recovered from the stroke and moved to Seattle in May, 1955 after her doctor told her she had to give up housekeeping. Her son, Percy who lived next door to her said "Mama's not going to leave me here" and he moved to Seattle, too. Just days before moving to Seattle, Matilda was in Detroit to see her daughter, Lucille, who was hospitalized with a broken knee. (Matilda arrived in Detroit Tuesday, left Detroit Thursday and arrived in Seattle Saturday.) She lived there with her daughter Hattie, and son-in-law Eugene Jefferies, and became a member of the Cherry Hill Baptist Church, but also maintained her membership at First Baptist Church of Sheffield. In 1967, Matilda returned to Sheffield.
Cherry Hill Baptist Church of Seattle Salutes Matilda Smith
Cherry Hill featured this tribute to Matilda in the church bulletin on Sunday, September 10, 1967:
Y'all Come!! Saying goodbye to a true Christian fiend is not easy. And especially when that friend is Sister Matilda Smith--friend, Christian, Deaconess, supporter and worker. When Cherry Hill considers the motto she carries on the Sunday Bulletin: "It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful", she can be proud indeed of the "faithfulness of Sister Smith." Ever since she left Progressive and came to old Mount Olive to be with her son, Calvin, she remained faithful to her post of duty in the Church, whatever that duty happened to be. And down through the years since coming to our congregation, Sister Smith has tried her very best to be FAITHFUL in all that has been required of her. Truly she has done her best--and angels can do no more. Hers has not been an easy lot. She has been visited with illness and trouble and tragedy and heartbreak and death within her family. Nevertheless, through it all, she has remained FAITHFUL to her God, and to her Church. She has undergone serious illness and surgery herself, and has continued in agony, and even declining health. Nonetheless, she has remained FAITHFUL to her God, and to her Church. Despite the suffering of her infirmity, and the burden of her years, Sister Smith has remained FAITHFUL to the work on the Cherry Hill Woman's Society. She has also given faithful support to the Deaconess oard over the years of her membership with us. So as she leaves this week to make her home with the Rev. James Hampton, her son in Sheffield Alabama, she leaves a very enviable record of FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN SERVICE, not only in Cherry Hill, but in the City of Seattle. And in this, she has done the thing which pleases the Master. For He calls not for popularity or fame, neither for riches or success: His call is for FAITHFULNESS. And He has a promise for those who please Him: "Whoever is faithful to the end, I will give a crown of life." This is the reward which Sister Smith is even now beginning to reap as she goes to be with a beloved son who really loves God. And he loves her too, to make his home, her home. For it will be a Christian home in which she can contribute Christian companionship where it is needed and where she and Brother Smith can receive Christian companionship in return. May the God of all peace bless them as they sojourn to the home of a faithful son. TODAY AT THE FELLOWSHIP HOUR SISTER SMITH WILL STAND WITH THE MINISTER SO THE MEMBERS MAY FELLOWSHIP WITH HER BEFORE SHE LEAVES ON HER "EXTENDED VACATION." Since the National Baptist Convention will be in Atlanta in 1968, the pastor will endeavor to visit with Brother and Sister Smith in Sheffield next September. Cherry Hill salutes Sister Smith for a Christian job well done.
And it did turn out to be an "extended vaction." Matilda and Mr. Smith returned to Seattle later to live with her daughters Ossie and Mabel. Matilda was a woman of high expectations. She encouraged her grandchildren in their behavior and academic performance. Matilda died in Seattle, Washington in 1972.
From the Cole-Hampton-Lee Oral History
