While I was going through some of Granny’s things, I came across a box filled with cards, things I drew and other mementos that she held on to. There just wasn’t enough space to share all of this in the memorial program, so I’m sharing it here. Enjoy 🙂

— Brannon

Gallery

Her Life

Spirited, smart and remarkably strong, Arsia Smith (nee Sanders) left an indelible imprint on every life she touched. Born on October 1, 1930 in Goodman, Mississippi to Tommye and James Sanders, Arsia was the youngest of eight children. When she was 16, she spotted a young Mack Smith in a World War II army uniform, chatted him up, and the pair began a courtship. They got married in 1947, and shortly after, Arsia gave birth to her first child, Georgia (Kookie).

After hearing of the favorable job opportunities up north in the steel mills, the newlyweds migrated to Gary from the south, and Mack began working at United States Steel Corporation (US Steel). In 1948, Arsia welcomed her second child, Larry, and in 1952, she gave birth to her baby girl, Gwendolyn (Gwen). When Gwen reached school-age in 1958, Arsia sought work outside of the home for the first time. She began working at Elko Clothing in Chicago as a clothing inspector, and she held that position for more than 30 years. In 1961, she and Mack amicably parted ways, and Arsia continued raising Kookie, Larry and Gwen primarily on her own.

As her children reached adulthood, Arsia remained fiercely supportive of their individual paths in life. Kookie moved to Joliet to help her Aunt Maude (Arsia’s sister) run the family restaurant. Larry was drafted during the Vietnam War, and studied at the Coyne Institute when he returned. Gwen started her career at US Steel, and reignited her childhood love of softball as part of the Steel City Smokettes, an employee softball team. Arsia was the Smokettes’ biggest fan, and she never missed a single one of Gwen’s games.

As the years rolled on, Arsia’s celebrated the relationships and marriages of her children, but it wasn’t until 1986 that she was able to welcome her first and only grandchild to the world, Brannon. While Brannon’s mother, Gwen, was working, Arsia took over childcare duties, and grandmother and grandson formed an unbreakable bond.

Arsia was preceded in death by her mother and father, all seven of siblings, her ex-husband, Mack, and two of her children, Kookie and Larry. She leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, Gwendolyn; grandson, Brannon, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.