Everett Smith

Everett E. Smith, 101, a resident of The Highlands at Wyomissing, died quietly on August 25, at his home, of injuries sustained in a fall. He was the husband of Gladys Kelly Smith, with whom he had shared nearly 10 years of marriage. He was predeceased by his first wife, Ann Rietz Smith, in 1988, and is survived by his step-daughter Gwen Kelly Klein (James) as well as several nieces and nephews. He was a member of Holy Cross United Methodist Church, Reading.

Everett was born in Rolfe, Iowa, the last of six children, in 1909. With help from some of his older brothers and sisters, he was able to attend the University of Iowa, and was graduated in 1929. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Ann Rietz, he served in the Illinois National Guard, and made it through the Great Depression working for a meat packing company in Chicago. Later, he took a position with the Western Electric Company and AT&T in Chicago and New York.

He came to the Reading area in 1951 to open the Laureldale plant in Muhlenberg Township, which later became one of the largest employers in Berks County. His career, beginning with Western Electric, spanned 44 years with the same company.

Everett and his wife Ann loved to travel, and shared trips to many foreign countries as well as points of interest in the US. After Ann's death, Everett continued his travels, and gave several presentations at The Highlands, complete with photos, of his trips.

Everett was always active in the Berks County community, beginning with his charter position on the Economic Opportunity Council Board in 1963. He also was a member of the Urban Coalition, the Reading Rotary Club, Telephone Pioneers of America, and was on the Albright College Convocation Committee for several years.

In 1963 and 1964, Everett was the General Campaign Chairman of the Berks County United Fund (now United Way) and at that time also served on the board of directors and planning committees. He was President of the YMCA of Reading and Berks County during construction of their Olympic indoor pool. He served on boards of both the YMCA and the South Mountain YMCA, and remained until 1999 a Trustee of the YMCA of Berks County. He was also president of Family Services, and aided that organization's merger with the Family Guidance Center in 1967.

Always active in human rights issues, Everett was a commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Human Relations Commission. He was the first elected chairman of the Inter-Religious Committee on Race from 1963-1967, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Reading-Berks Human Relations Council in 1967. Appointed to the Pennsylvania State Human Relations Commission by Governor William W. Scranton in 1966, he was made Chairman of the Commission by Governor Raymond P. Shafer in 1970. Everett continued to serve on the Commission until 1981.

Everett is most recently remembered for marrying his second sweetheart, Gladys, when they were both 91. They met at The Highlands, where they bowled and sang in the chorus together. Both widowed, they married after a year's courtship. Their engagement, wedding, and each of their 100th birthdays were noted by the Reading Eagle.

In lieu of flowers, Everett wished that memorial contributions would be made to The Highlands Endowment Fund, 2300 Cambridge Avenue, Wyomissing PA 19610.