Edith Renfrow Smith, a Living Link to History, Passes at 111
In a world that often struggles to preserve its past, Edith Renfrow Smith stood as a testament to the power of memory and perseverance. The remarkable woman, who passed away on Friday at 111 years old, left behind an enduring legacy that spans centuries.
Born in Grinnell, Iowa two weeks before the start of World War I, Smith's earliest memories date back to the end of the war in 1918. Her experiences during this time would shape her life's work as a memory keeper, passing down stories and history to future generations. One such story is that of her neighbor who came home having lost both legs after serving overseas.
Smith's remarkable life was marked by numerous achievements, including becoming the first Black female graduate from Grinnell College in 1937. She went on to work at the YMCA in Chicago and met none other than aviator Amelia Earhart while an undergraduate. Her extraordinary life also included being honored with an honorary doctorate in 2019.
Throughout her long life, Smith was revered by those who knew her. Dr. Tamara Beauboeuf-Lafontant, chair in gender, women's and sexuality studies at Grinnell College, described her as a "memory keeper" whose presence allowed people to travel through time and space. Her family's history, dating back to the 1830s, was meticulously recorded by Smith, providing valuable insights into Iowa's Black families during the early 20th century.
Smith also had a lasting impact on Grinnell College itself. A dorm named after her, Renfrow Hall, was opened in 2022, featuring a facility designed to encourage interaction between students and community residents. The college president noted that Smith taught many generations about steadfastness and perseverance, excellence, and the importance of doing better.
Smith's own life story is one of quiet dedication. She enjoyed making jelly, wine, and baking pies, and volunteered at Goodwill and the Art Institute for 40 years after retiring in 1976. Her love for etiquette and manners was also evident in her daily interactions, as her friends, including jazz legend Herbie Hancock, remembered her with affection.
With no service planned to mark her passing, Smith's legacy is now left to be cherished by those who knew her. As she once said at her 110th birthday, "The Lord gives you the birthdays, and you take 'em. You have no choice. Take what you have, make use of it, and be thankful for what you have."
In a world that often struggles to preserve its past, Edith Renfrow Smith stood as a testament to the power of memory and perseverance. The remarkable woman, who passed away on Friday at 111 years old, left behind an enduring legacy that spans centuries.
Born in Grinnell, Iowa two weeks before the start of World War I, Smith's earliest memories date back to the end of the war in 1918. Her experiences during this time would shape her life's work as a memory keeper, passing down stories and history to future generations. One such story is that of her neighbor who came home having lost both legs after serving overseas.
Smith's remarkable life was marked by numerous achievements, including becoming the first Black female graduate from Grinnell College in 1937. She went on to work at the YMCA in Chicago and met none other than aviator Amelia Earhart while an undergraduate. Her extraordinary life also included being honored with an honorary doctorate in 2019.
Throughout her long life, Smith was revered by those who knew her. Dr. Tamara Beauboeuf-Lafontant, chair in gender, women's and sexuality studies at Grinnell College, described her as a "memory keeper" whose presence allowed people to travel through time and space. Her family's history, dating back to the 1830s, was meticulously recorded by Smith, providing valuable insights into Iowa's Black families during the early 20th century.
Smith also had a lasting impact on Grinnell College itself. A dorm named after her, Renfrow Hall, was opened in 2022, featuring a facility designed to encourage interaction between students and community residents. The college president noted that Smith taught many generations about steadfastness and perseverance, excellence, and the importance of doing better.
Smith's own life story is one of quiet dedication. She enjoyed making jelly, wine, and baking pies, and volunteered at Goodwill and the Art Institute for 40 years after retiring in 1976. Her love for etiquette and manners was also evident in her daily interactions, as her friends, including jazz legend Herbie Hancock, remembered her with affection.
With no service planned to mark her passing, Smith's legacy is now left to be cherished by those who knew her. As she once said at her 110th birthday, "The Lord gives you the birthdays, and you take 'em. You have no choice. Take what you have, make use of it, and be thankful for what you have."
. She was truly a remarkable woman who lived an incredible life. I love how her legacy is being celebrated by her community and Grinnell College - she definitely left behind a lasting impact 
. It's amazing that she was able to share her experiences and stories with others, especially during a time when it was still relatively rare for Black women to be recognized in such ways 
. Her dedication to volunteering and giving back is truly inspiring, and I think we could all learn from her example 
. RIP Edith - may your memory continue to inspire future generations 
This Edith Renfrow Smith woman is like a treasure from the past, ya know? She's 111 years young and still had so much to give! I mean, can you believe she was the first Black female graduate from Grinnell College back in '37? That's some serious trailblazing right there. And getting to meet Amelia Earhart? Talk about a cool aunt! 
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. i love how her life was full of purpose - from grad school to volunteering, it's clear she found joy in helping others and making a difference. it's not often we meet people who are so humble about their achievements 
. and can you imagine having someone like her as a neighbor? that story about her neighbor coming home with lost legs is just wow... 
. Her life was truly an incredible achievement - from serving in WWII to becoming a trailblazer as the first Black female graduate from Grinnell College in '37. It's amazing to think about all she accomplished, from working at the YMCA to meeting Amelia Earhart 
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. It's also heartwarming to think about how she inspired others with her quiet strength and perseverance 
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, and I gotta say, her life story is truly inspiring! I mean, can you imagine living through two wars, breaking barriers as the first Black female graduate from Grinnell College, and meeting Amelia Earhart? 
She was like a time capsule of history, holding onto stories and memories that could've easily been lost. It's so beautiful to think about her legacy now - from the dorm named after her to all the people she inspired with her kindness and dedication 
It's moments like those that remind us of the power of human connection.
. Rest in peace, Edith 
It's named after her and has a facility that encourages community interaction. Like, they're already doing it right by having a space for students to learn from each other. 
At 111 years old, Edith Renfrow Smith is like the ultimate supercentenarian. 
and i love how she always had this positive attitude, like "take what you have and be thankful for it". that's really inspiring 
anyways i think we can all learn from her dedication to her community and doing good for 40 years after retiring that's the kind of perseverance we should all strive for 
It's amazing how she managed to balance her education with serving overseas and volunteering for 40 years. Her dedication is truly inspiring, especially considering she was making jelly and baking pies all those years too! 
, and renfrow hall is such a lovely tribute to her legacy 
... she'll be deeply missed but her memory will live on 
111 is just insane! I mean, I know some people live long lives, but Edith Renfrow Smith's life story is straight outta a movie or something 
. Born in '17, lived through WWI... and met Amelia Earhart? 
That's just wild. And can we talk about how she graduated from Grinnell College at 19? That's like, old school, you know? 
), anything is possible. And to think she got to meet Amelia Earhart like that's just crazy talk! She's basically the ultimate memory keeper, preserving all this history for us to learn from. Her legacy isn't just about herself though, it's also about the impact she had on people around her - Dr. Beauboeuf-Lafontant is raving about how she brought communities together 
just heard about Edith Renfrow Smith passin at 111 
especially stories of Black families in Iowa during that time period 
Smith's legacy will live on through Renfrow Hall and all the young people who get to interact with it 