Anita Smith

Anita Louise Smith (nee Pope) was born May 1, 1939 in Cleveland, Ohio. She was the middle child of the late Ruben Edward Pope, Jr and Marie Danzy. She has one older sister, Jacqueline Mae Pope and her baby brother, Ruben Edward Pope III who was called from labor to reward in 2014. Her family attended the historical AME Church on East 40th Street in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Anita lived in Cleveland all her life. She graduated from the old Glenville High School in 1958. After graduation, she attended beauty school. In 2008, she attended her 50th class reunion. Anita married the "boy next door", Robert Lee Scott and to this union one daughter was born, Marie Lynnette. 

Anita was always a hard worker, sometimes working tow jobs at a time. In her earlier years, she was employed by a neighborhood restaurant, Scatters BBQ on East 105th Street. It was there where she met Sammy Smith and they were married in 1967. Anita worked at Ms. Webb's Restaurant on East 76th and Cedar. She worked at Woolworths and Company in downtown Cleveland and established life-long friendships there.  Then God blessed her with employment at The Cleveland Clinic where she retired after 36 years. After her retirement from Cleveland Clinic, Anita later returned working at John Carroll University and ten years at Macy's where she finally fully retired. Her daughter and grandson learned their work ethics from her. 

Anita united with "The Great Big Family" of the Temple Baptist Church on November 1, 1971, under the leadership of the late Rev. A.E. Campbell, Jr. She was an active member of the Noonday Bible Class, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Senior Ministry and Children's Ministry. Anita loved Pastor Veal and his family and checked on him during the week. She would also bring him homemade goods on Sunday. 

Anita loved traveling, shopping, jewelry, shooting pool, cooking, crocheting and sewing baby blankets. She would drop by the casino every now and again, lol. Anita was very kind and generous. She never met a stranger and made friends easily and "she could talk!" She hustled to give her daughter and grandson the best things in life. Sometimes she would even sell BBQ dinners, etc. 

As her health failed, Anita slowed down tremendously. Her greatest desire was to visit her grandson in North Carolina. Her first cousin and his wife, Duane and Amber Sullivan, made that possible. Duane also came from Dallas, Texas to see her in the hospital. 

Anita was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, June 16, 2022. 

The life of Anita will not die but will live on in the memories of her daughter: Marie Lynnette Reid (Eric); her grandson: Lynnell Kinte' Scott; one sister-in-law: R. Joyce Pope; one brother-in-law: Earl Johnson, Jr,; two nephews: "Baby Earl" Johnson III and Walter Pope; two nieces: Yolanda Roseberger and Evonne Pope; two childhood friends: Myrna and Geneva and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. 

A  public viewing will be Friday, June 24, 2022, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the House Of Peace Funeral Home, 4105 East 71st Street (East 71st and Harvard), Cleveland, OH. A Celebration of Life Services will be held Saturday, June 25, 2022, 9:00 AM Wake and 9:30 AM Service at Temple Baptist Church, 1862 Noble Road, East Cleveland, OH. Interment will immediately follow at the Lakeview Cemetery, 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH.

Face Mask will be required for both Viewing and Funeral services.

We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on Anita's Wall.