Hessie Smith, Jr.

Location: The Smith home

Interview by Michael S. Williams
Video by Julia Wall

Atkins High School, Class of 1960

Hessie Smith, Jr. loved his time as a student at Atkins High School in Winston-Salem. "Go Gold," he likes to say, referencing one of the school's colors. Smith said his teachers made the experience great because they were "close" to them. They provided a solid foundation that allowed students to enjoy learning, even with all the homework that was assigned, and his attitude was to "do it, enjoy it, and thank God for it."

The 1960 graduate was a three-sport-athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball. He still has all the awards amassed during his high-school years scattered throughout his den. Those, along with school yearbooks and photos are reminders of that time in his life when his teachers and coaches poured into him and offered guidance. He said if he could talk to the 1960 version of himself, he'd say, "think about what you've been taught" and let that guide you.

Among the massive selection of memorabilia, Smith has the high school and nursing school yearbooks that belonged to his late wife, Mildred Alexander Smith. The pair were high-school sweethearts and were married for 54 years. Mildred Smith, also a 1960 Atkins graduate, went to nursing school at Kate Bitting Reynolds Memorial Hospital, graduating in 1963. Hessie Smith attends the "Katie B." reunion every year to honor his wife.