Veralyn (Marshall) Smith

Veralyn Marshall Smith was born in Cleveland Ohio November 17th 1938. She was the oldest child of Herman Marshall Sr. and Beatrice Woods Marshall. She was extremely delighted when her younger brother Herman Jr. was born, she was the loving big sister and daughter. Veralyn was raised in Cleveland and attended Cleveland Public Schools. She attended Sterling Elementary, Central Junior High,and graduated from East Technical High School in June of 1957. She graduated from Kent State University with honors "Cum Laude" in 1962. She later returned to Kent, to obtain her Master's Degree in Education. Veralyn taught in California, Virginia, and Ohio. Her major was in History. She taught Social Studies, Civics, American and World History. Later in her teaching career she taught African American History, once the school system added it to the curriculum. She educated hundreds of students here in her hometown of Cleveland. She taught at Kennard Junior High, East Technical, and South High School. She retired from teaching after 44 years of leading, guiding, and motivating many young minds. She was also a playground instructor during the summers for the City of Cleveland. After retiring from teaching she became a volunteer for University Hospital's Seidman Cancer Center. Veralyn was an accomplished pianist. She took music lessons at the Phillis Wheatley Settlement and the Cleveland institute of Music. She participated in several music recitals. She won a statewide competition for her rendition of "Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 1st Movement". She worked with the music department at all the schools she work for as the piano accompanist for all the musical talent shows, concerts graduations, and school assemblies. On June 27, 1970 Veralyn married her childhood friend John William  Smith Jr. who was her loving, devoted husband, and traveling partner of 48 years. They traveled the United States and Canada together., from coast to coast. Their union brought two families together. John was accepted as Marshall's son,  and Veralyn became the Smith's daughter. From this union they were blessed with two children, Quiana Lynn and John Brandon. Veralyn will be missed by all who loved  and knew her.  She was an extremely caring, loving and warm person who only saw the good in everyone. She never had a negative word to say about anybody. Veralyn departed this life on December 20, 2018, after a 23 year battle with breast cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman Sr. and Beatrice Marshall; her in-laws, John Sr. and Margaret Smith; her baby brother, Herman Jr. and brother-in-law, Gary A. Smith. She leaves to mourn her passing, her devoted, loving husband, John; daughter Quiana Lynn (Michael) and son, John Brandon; her grandchildren, John Jr., Micquion, Daniel, Nevaeh, Suvannah and Nova; nephews, Captain Herman James III, Julius R., Deshawn and Brian A.; her nieces, Danette and Temple; and great-niece, Amariah; sister-in-laws, Carol J. Smith Jessie M. Marshall of Spokane, Washington and Patricia Marshall of Atlanta, Georgia; and her cousin, Delilah Reed.  She is also survived by her special cousin Joquine Martin, who was more like a sister. She leaves behind numerous relatives and a host of dear friends. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Veralyn (Marshall) Smith, please visit our floral store.