Clifford Smith

Long-time Alabama school administrator Clifford Shelton Smith of Hoover, Alabama passed away on August 10, 2017 at the age of 88. Born on July 21, 1929 in rural Coosa County, Alabama and raised in Rockford, Alabama he was the only child of the late Hewey P. and Velma Burks Smith.

After graduating from Coosa County High School in 1947, where he was a notable basketball and baseball player, Smith enrolled in Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) where he was a member of the Theta Chi social fraternity. He received a degree in education from API in 1951 and enlisted in the United States Air Force. Upon completion of officer candidate school, Lieutenant Smith taught atomic, biological and chemical (ABC) warfare to his fellow airmen at bases in Texas and Alabama.

Following an honorable discharge from military service, Smith began his 39-year career in the public schools of Alabama. He worked as a biology teacher at Sylacauga High School while he earned his Master’s degree in education from API. He then served as principal of Randolph County High School in Wedowee, T.R. Miller High School in Brewton, and Anniston High School before becoming an assistant superintendent for the Anniston City Schools, where he was instrumental in the integration of that district. He next served as an assistant superintendent in the Phenix City Schools and, in 1976, was promoted to superintendent of that system, an office he held until his retirement in 1992. During his tenure in Phenix City, he oversaw construction of a vocational school, a new high school, and several other infrastructure improvement and modernization projects. Under his leadership, the Phenix City Schools experienced a marked increase in academic performance as evidenced by standardized testing of students. Among other professional accolades, he was named the Alabama Congress of Parents and Teachers’ Superintendent of the Year for 1982-83. He also earned a AA certificate in education from Auburn.

In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and maintaining his yard and was active in Southern Baptist churches and civic organizations in the several communities where he lived. He was well-read in Unites States history and was an avid follower of Auburn Tigers football, the Atlanta Braves, and high school football, especially the Central-Phenix City Red Devils.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Ann Vann Smith. He is survived by his children, John (Laura) Smith of Tallassee, Alabama, and Amy (Chris) Ferguson of Vestavia Hills, Alabama; grandchildren, Samuel, Sarah, and William Smith and Elijah and Blakeley Ferguson; several cousins and many friends, former students, and

Visitation

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM ,Monday, August 14, 2017
Rockford Baptist Church
9575 US Hwy 231 Rockford, AL, Coosa 35136

Funeral Service

11:00 AM ,Monday, August 14, 2017
Rockford Baptist Church
9575 US Hwy 231 Rockford, AL, Coosa 35136

Interment

Monday, August 14, 2017
Rockford City Cemetery