Clyde Vernon Smith, a resident of Newburgh, NY for over 65 years was born January 14, 1935 in Evergreen, NC, the son of the late Pearl Ruth (Williamson) Lewis. He went home to be with the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; wife, Ida Mae Smith and mother, Pearl Lewis on Thursday, August 7, 2014 at St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh. He was 79 years old. According to family members Clyde lead the family in Evergreen, NC as their spiritual and motivational speaker in his younger days. He graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1955, then later received an Associate's Degree from Orange County Community College, Middletown, NY. Clyde served his country in the United States Army where he received an honorable discharge. He was a member of the Hebron Lodge No. 48, Beacon, NY and retired from IBM East Fishkill after 25 years as an Mechanical Engineer. Clyde was very active in the community where he lived, the Washington Heights area of Newburgh in the 1970s. He served as president of that community's association and was very instrumental in organizing to get the streets and sidewalks replaced and new trees planted to make that neighborhood a very desirable area of Newburgh to live at that time. He was a very active member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. He served on the Trustee Board for many years and was a member of the Echo Choral Ensemble. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for Burton Tower. He was a member of the national Gospel Music Workshop of America Inc. where he was a singer, songwriter and composer. He was also a member of the local branch of the Mid-Hudson Chapter. One of his songs he wrote that was sung at the Gospel Music Workshop Convention by the mass choir featuring James Cleveland titled "There's A Place For Us". Clyde wrote several gospel songs such as..."There's A Place For Us", "Renew Thy Faith", "I Put My Trust In Him". Honoring his memory is his son, Thomas C. Smith and wife, Leana of Newburgh; four granddaughters: Jasmine Thomas of Kansas City, MO, Karica and Tancee Smith of Waldorf, MD and Aizia Smith of Newburgh; great-grandsons: Jayden and Vincent Thomas of Kansas City, MO; his Goddaughter, Andaya Powell of Greensboro, NC; Godson, Omar Travis of Newburgh; aunts: Alfreda Dickerson of Nyack, NY and Winnie Williamson of Oakland, CA, his devoted and loving cousins: Andrew and Brenda Powell of Newburgh and a host of other cousins, other relatives and friends. He is predeceased by his mother, Pearl Ruth Lewis; wife, Ida Mae Smith and stepson, William F. Clark. He truly was a bright light among us and an ambassador of peaceful living. Mr. Smith will lay in repose from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 15th at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 76 First St., Newburgh, NY, with a Musical at 7 p.m., Saturday, August 16th. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. with Service commencing at 11 a.m. at the church; Rev. Dr. Bruce Davis will officiate. Interment will take place at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Middle Hope, NY. Professional Services entrusted to Rhodes Funeral Homes, 259 Walsh Ave., New Windsor, NY 12553
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Submitted by CHARLIE HAGER 1962 <HAGER5@OUTLOOK.COM>
on 15/Aug/2014 - CLYDE, R.I.P. REMEMBER THOSE GOOD OLD I.B.M. DAYS IN I.B.M.
EAST FISHKILL PHOTO AREA.
Clyde Vernon Smith, a resident of Newburgh, NY for over 65 years was born January 14, 1935 in Evergreen, NC, the son of the late Pearl Ruth (Williamson) Lewis. He went home to be with the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; wife, Ida Mae Smith and mother, Pearl Lewis on Thursday, August 7, 2014 at St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh. He was 79 years old. According to family members Clyde lead the family in Evergreen, NC as their spiritual and motivational speaker in his younger days. He graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1955, then later received an Associate's Degree from Orange County Community College, Middletown, NY. Clyde served his country in the United States Army where he received an honorable discharge. He was a member of the Hebron Lodge No. 48, Beacon, NY and retired from IBM East Fishkill after 25 years as an Mechanical Engineer. Clyde was very active in the community where he lived, the Washington Heights area of Newburgh in the 1970s. He served as president of that community's association and was very instrumental in organizing to get the streets and sidewalks replaced and new trees planted to make that neighborhood a very desirable area of Newburgh to live at that time. He was a very active member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. He served on the Trustee Board for many years and was a member of the Echo Choral Ensemble. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for Burton Tower. He was a member of the national Gospel Music Workshop of America Inc. where he was a singer, songwriter and composer. He was also a member of the local branch of the Mid-Hudson Chapter. One of his songs he wrote that was sung at the Gospel Music Workshop Convention by the mass choir featuring James Cleveland titled "There's A Place For Us". Clyde wrote several gospel songs such as..."There's A Place For Us", "Renew Thy Faith", "I Put My Trust In Him". Honoring his memory is his son, Thomas C. Smith and wife, Leana of Newburgh; four granddaughters: Jasmine Thomas of Kansas City, MO, Karica and Tancee Smith of Waldorf, MD and Aizia Smith of Newburgh; great-grandsons: Jayden and Vincent Thomas of Kansas City, MO; his Goddaughter, Andaya Powell of Greensboro, NC; Godson, Omar Travis of Newburgh; aunts: Alfreda Dickerson of Nyack, NY and Winnie Williamson of Oakland, CA, his devoted and loving cousins: Andrew and Brenda Powell of Newburgh and a host of other cousins, other relatives and friends. He is predeceased by his mother, Pearl Ruth Lewis; wife, Ida Mae Smith and stepson, William F. Clark. He truly was a bright light among us and an ambassador of peaceful living. Mr. Smith will lay in repose from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 15th at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 76 First St., Newburgh, NY, with a Musical at 7 p.m., Saturday, August 16th. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. with Service commencing at 11 a.m. at the church; Rev. Dr. Bruce Davis will officiate. Interment will take place at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Middle Hope, NY. Professional Services entrusted to Rhodes Funeral Homes, 259 Walsh Ave., New Windsor, NY 12553