Ethel Mae Smeak

Dr. Ethel Mae Smeak, 90, of Staunton, Virginia, passed away on September 7, 2021 at Augusta Heath Hospital in Fishersville, Va. Ethel was born in Greenville, South Carolina, to John Duffy Smeak and Theresa Hazel McIntosh Smeak on June 27, 1931. Ethel is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Smeak, her sister and brother-in-law, Hilma Ann Smeak Lamont and Colo. (USAF retired) Maximilian Lamont and her brother and sister-in-law John Milton and Georgia Knox Bailey Smeak. Ethel is survived by her nieces, Hilma Irene Lamont and her children, Adam Christopher Tambor and Heather Anne Kidd; Hannah Elizabeth Lamont and her husband, Dr. William Frederick Messner and daughter, Janet Marie Rawlinson Wright; Charlotte Rigby Smeak Verreault and her husband, John Francis Verreault lll and their children, Margaret Bailey Verreault; her nephew, John Milton Smeak, Jr. and his children Elizabeth Marshal Smeak and John Milton Smeak lll. She attended Greenville High School and graduated in 1953 from Mary Baldwin College (now University), where she served as President of the Student Government Association. She received her Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees in English Literature from Vanderbilt University. In 1965, after teaching at Greenbrier College in Lewisburg, West Virginia, and Madison College (now James Madison University) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, she joined the English Department at Mary Baldwin, where she taught until her retirement in 1995. Her specialty was Elizabethan and 17th Century poetry and drama. From 1974 to 1976 she served the College as Dean of Students, and in 1990, she was appointed to the Margaret Hunt Hill Distinguished Chair in the Humanities. She served as the American Director of the Virginia Program in Oxford, was a member of the Modern Language Association, served on the Executive Committee of the Virginia Province of the American Association of University Professors. Because of her outstanding service to Mary Baldwin, its students and alumni, she was named a Life Member of the Alumni Association. Ethel was quite a character; lively, witty, interesting and fun. She had many interest including tennis, theater, books, bridge and she traveled extensively through Europe (especially England and Italy). Her love for her Boston Terriers was legendary. She also loved her time on Sherwood Ave where she lived for many years until she moved to Baldwin Park. Ethel’s calling was teaching and she devoted her life to Mary Baldwin College and her beloved students. She never married, or had children of her own, but it can be said she had many that she taught and mentored through her life. She was a role model for all the women that came after her. She was a pioneer in the women’s movement and paved a way for all of her students by setting an example of what they could achieve. She fought for equal footing in the workplace and achieved her goals with patience and perseverance. She was also very involved and played a big part in the lives of her siblings and their families. She was there at every milestone, wedding, funeral or reunion. There were always gifts under the tree from “Aunt Ethel”. She always did her best to give to her brother and sister’s children her love and attention. We will miss her tremendously. The family of Ethel Smeak wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Ethel’s dear friends, Beverly S. Moran (Cheri), and her husband Philip Wesley Moran, who have been there for her in all facets of her life, Dr. James Lott who has visited and helped whenever asked, all the great staff at Baldwin Park, her assistant, Linda Frye for helping Ethel daily and being our eyes and ears through the last few months. Also, a special thanks to Dr. Patrick Baroco and Dr. Robert Ginsberg for calling and keeping us informed and all the wonderful nurses at Augusta Health Hospital. Due to the COVID pandemic, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts may be given to Mary Baldwin University. Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamickfuneralhomes.com