Otis Smith, Sr.

Otis Smith, Sr. was born on December 16, 1932, in Austin, Texas, to loving parents Beulah Mae Walton and Ulysses Grant Smith. His lifetime residency of 89 years in Austin was a continuation of a “Smith Family Legacy” which was maintained by his father, Ulysses, born in 1893; began by his grandfather Benjamin Franklin Smith, in 1859, when his family moved from Liberty Hill to Austin. In other words, from slavery days to the current days of the 21st Century, the descendants of the “Smith Family” continue to prosper and grow.

Early Life:

Having been born in 1932, three years into what is historically considered the worst economic depression experienced worldwide, Otis had become familiar with tough times and hard work. Although his mother, Beulah, worked long, hard hours as a housekeeper at Brackenridge Hospital, trying to support him and his two older brothers, Hildred (1928) and Douglas (1930), she and Ulysses decided to seek the assistance of his parents, Benjamin Franklin Smith (1858) and Julia Wayne Smith (1872) to relieve the financial hardship they were having to endure. Benjamin, a railroad train expressman, and Julia, a mid-wife, welcomed Ulysses, Hildred, and Otis into their home; providing that special type of emotional, ethical, religious, social, and financial support that only family can provide in times of need. Even after the death of Benjamin in 1935, when Otis was only 3 yrs. old, Julia kept the Smith Family together. By 1940, Otis was living with his grandmother, great-grandmother, father, and older brother from about 1933 until he graduated from L.C. Anderson High School in 1950. Even though the decade began fairly well for the Smith Family, in 1942 they suffered an excruciatingly hard blow. On May 21, 1944, Julia was notified of the death of Ulysses. As a result, Julia was now the main source of income for the family. This was the time that Otis decided to go “over the hill” to the “West Side” (a huge hill that divided the East and West sides of Austin). Otis didn’t speak very much about his early life, but, he did state that there was an unwritten “Gentleman’s Agreement” between the white and black residents of Austin which stated that all minorities were to make sure they were on the “East Side” of the hill by the time the sun went down, or have an appropriate reason for being on the “West Side” (white) of the hill – such as working with or for a white man who could provide a good excuse. Otis went there seeking work and ended up on the University of Texas at Austin Campus and the local area golf courses. Soon, he was able to find work as a caddy for the men and women playing the sport. This led to a love for the game, which lasted an entire lifetime. He earned money at a critical time for the family and Otis was also able to learn the history, observe the technique and skills, and, in his spare time, he increased his knowledge and improved his skills, while working for upcoming Texas golf superstars. It was during this period of time that Otis sought employment, that he ended up meeting and working for the golf coach at the University of Texas; legendary World Golf Hall of Famer Harvey Penick. Otis worked as a caddie for Harvey Penick during the 1944-47 and 1954 championship seasons. This job provided an opportunity to meet, greet, and socialize with people who shared their knowledge, support, and encouragement in an effort to increase interests and participation in the sport, especially in the minority communities. Otis continued his golf participation after graduation by joining the Capitol City Golfers Association and participating in the local and statewide tournament competitions. Otis was rewarded several trophies and awards for his golf expertise; some of his tournament victories were published in the Austin-American Statesman in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Education:

Otis attended the historic East Austin Community Neighborhood Schools – Oak Springs and Rosewood Elementary Schools, Kealing Jr. High School, and of course, The Original L.C. Anderson High School. Otis excelled in both academia and athletic endeavors at Anderson. Including playing football, basketball, and golf. The cover photo shows him proudly wearing his football/basketball Senior jacket, while also “sporting” his golf cap! He wanted it to be known that he enjoyed and excelled in several athletic skill events and activities.

Marriage:

One day, while going to see a movie at “The Harlem Theater” with some friends, he met a young lady named Evelyn, who was there with her 4 sisters – Helen, Cora, Emma, and May- and they began a relationship.

On November 29, 1952, Otis and Evelyn Bolden; his High School Sweetheart, united in Holy Matrimony. To this union three children were born: Trenell (1953), Otis, Jr. (1954), and Carolyn Ann (1956). In 1953, Otis and Evelyn took their new baby, Trenell, into their first home at 2521 Rosewood Avenue in the “Booker T. Washington Housing Project”. This historic federal project was the first to provide “low-cost” housing in the United States. Amazingly, both his grandfather, Benjamin, and his father, Ulysses, had both worked for the WPA (Works Progress Administration) which was in charge of the very projects Otis moved his family into. So basically, Otis moved his family into the projects that his father and grandfather helped to build. In February 1954, Otis and Evelyn celebrated the New Year with the birth of their second child, Otis, Jr. In August 1956, they welcomed their third child, Carolyn Ann. In 1962, the family moved to 1704 Webberville Road; Otis was proud to be a first-time homeowner. Throughout their lives, Otis and Evelyn always strived to do their best. They were blessed to own four homes; 1704 Webberville Road, 1718 Meander Drive, 6611 Ashland Drive and 3005 East 51st Street.

Employment:

Upon graduation, Otis began his search for his first full-time permanent job; this resulted in employment in the hotels, motels, and restaurant industries. By 1952, Otis began working as a porter at the new downtown fashion store Scarbrough’s. In 1953, Otis was working as the doorman at the historic Stephen F. Austin hotel. He also worked at Randy’s Circle R Bar-B-Que. Otis continued to work in the hotel and restaurant business by landing a job in the most famous restaurant in Austin, The Villa Capri Hotel and Restaurant. The owner sold the property to the University of Texas, and it was demolished in 1988. The Frank Denius Practice Football Field now occupies the former site. Next, thru his Uncle Sherman Fisher, he was able to secure a position as a loader at Frostex Foods; frozen food distributor. His job was to take food cartons from the warehouse freezers refrigerated building and load them into the refrigerated trucks. The company had issues keeping employees because their uniforms failed to keep them warm enough. Otis went to his Uncle Sherman with a suggestion, stemming from his golfing experience. He suggested they make the work uniforms using the same type of materials used in golfing sportswear, windbreakers. Uncle Sherman took Otis with him to speak with the owner, Mr. Arthur Boone, about the idea. Mr. Boone agreed, and the uniforms were created and adopted throughout the loading docks. In the 1970s, Otis also gave back to the company by forming the “Frostex Tigers” basketball team and leading them to a 1st place victory in the “Model Cities Midget Tournament” in 1973.

After retirement from Frostex, Otis took his retirement money and bought the best Biltmore 18-Wheeler and became an “entrepreneur” by creating Otis Smith Trucking. He contracted with a local distributor of road construction and repairs; Aggregate Haulers, which he worked with for the next 20 years. Otis and Evelyn also opened a shop called “Mr. D.J.’s Records and Tapes”; specializing in most recently released albums and tapes; but also provided personalization to their services by allowing their customers to submit a list of songs to be recorded on blank tapes. Next door to the record shop was an extremely popular dance club called The Shalimar, where Otis would provide the sweet and soulful music as “Mr. DJ”.

The 60’s were an unforgettable decade, but Otis Smith, Sr.’s family still thrived, survived, and prospered through the 20th century. Otis and Evelyn Smith laid the foundation and security upon which we stand today as we march into the 21st century and our future.

He leaves an entire family to mourn his memory; yet cherish his life; and celebrate his “homegoing”.

His Children. Daughters: Trenell Smith Sanders Johnson and Carolyn Ann Powell; and, Son, Otis Smith, Jr.

His Grandchildren: Nicole Patrice (Sanders) Miller and her husband Charles of Austin, TX. Stephanie Trenell (Sanders) Blunt and her husband Gregory of Cypress, TX. Shaun’te Latisse Monic (Goins) Branch and her husband David of Round Rock, TX. Dionne Geniece (Fryer) Alexander of Austin, TX. Evelyn Jeannette (Johnson) Nichols and her husband Cord of Austin, TX. Crystal Ann (Fryer) Joseph and her husband Omar of Fort Meade, MD.

His Great-Grandchildren: Brandon, Brittne, Brooke, Braelen and Brianna Miller; Jordan Blunt; Jayda and Simone Branch; Sedrick, Trinity and Dedrick Alexander; Malaya and Mariah Nichols and Malkia Mann; Christopher Follie and Kaydence Joseph.

Also, a host of other relatives and friends.

A visitation for Otis will be held Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Interstate 35, Pflugerville, Texas. A funeral service will occur Friday, September 23, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., 14501 North Interstate 35, Pflugerville, Texas. Committal will follow at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for the Smith, Sr. family.