LILA ALVA SMITH, eighth child of Virgil and Rachel Smith, was born June 17, 1892 in Mansfield, DeSoto, Louisiana.  She attended rural public schools in Louisiana and later in Center Public School.  As her father's health failed, she and her other sisters had to begin work to help support the family.  In the summer months, Lila attended the "summer normal", and received her certificate for teaching.  When the fall came she taught her first school at Clever Creek.   Later she accepted an assignment at Pine Springs School where she taught all grades in a one room schoolhouse.  During the summers she continued her studies in Austin and Nacogdoches.  She taught in Fellowship, Appleby in Nacogdoches County, Texas. She married JOHN GARRETT HARRIS on May 16, 1916. After her marriage she taught one final part-year at James in Shelby County.   She gave up her teaching career to assist in the hardware and furniture store and then to become a full time homemaker.  Lila Smith joined the First Baptist Church in Center and was baptized in the "Lane Pond" along with her sisters.  She contributed much to her church and  community throughout her long life in Center.   She taught junior girls' class in Sunday School at the First Baptist Church.   She was active for many years in the Woman's Missionary Union,  a member of the Phebean Class and at one time was organist for the church.  Prior to her death she was the oldest attending member, joining the church on May 26, 1907.  She was a Life Member of the Order of the Eastern Star, receiving her fifty-year membership certificate on March 3, 1964.  She was active in Center Music Club and was co-sponsor for a number of years of the Junior MacDowell Music Study Club for young people. She was president and active member of the Woman's Reading Club, played the piano and loved flowers, enjoyed fishing and traveled extensively both in the United States and aboard.   Miss Lila, as she was known, died on April 8, 1982, at the age of eighty-nine years and ten months and is buried beside her husband in Oaklawn Cemetery, Shelby County, Texas.   

Note:  For more information click here: Lila Alva Smith Harris

BACK