Our OMS Mission is to impact the world with Kingdom thinking as we inspire and influence the next generation to be bold in their faith, resilient in their focus and fierce about their integrity in their pursuit of excellence and education.
Ollie Mae Smith was born to Rosa Ella Bettis on April 28th, 1933. Although slavery had ended black people, especially black women had no rights. Black women primarily worked for white people in their homes and stores as stockers or maids. My Great Grandmother was working in a store when a white male violated her and my Grandmother was a product of that bodily violation. I share that story so you will know that even though that’s how her life started it was not how it ended. Although she was the result and evidence of a crime that had been committed she lived her life fully devoted to Jesus Christ, forgiving those who had trespassed against her and her mother. Due to her fair skin and her long wavy hair, she struggled to be accepted in any community. When Robert Smith Sr. asked for her hand in marriage, they gave birth to their own small community. They had ten children together. Their children gave birth to thirty- three grandchildren and the great-grandchildren are still arriving. We are her legacy living out her incredible example of love. She wanted us educated, employed, and examples of what God could do.
Our OMS vision is to live in a world where higher education is accessible for all and that students are equipped for a growth experience where excelling is the standard.
You see we’re always saying in Loving memory so this is
In Loving Memory of everything I loved.. in Loving memory of your warm kisses and hugs..
In Loving Memory of your you got anything I can do..
In Loving Memory of me just sitting and watching you..
In Loving Memory of your Whoopie and Okie Dokie..
In Loving Memory of your sound wisdom and precise projections.. in your presence I never felt rejection..but only protection.. you were like a choir with the right song selection..
In Loving Memory of your hot biscuits and your church displays.. fancy hats and long hair waves.. your peppermints and your Yes Yes Yes., always giving God a yes.. always giving God your best.. Always telling the next.. Give God your best..
In Loving Memory of your cake bowls you let us lick In Loving Memory of anything you baked because it was always lit…
In Loving Memory of your favorite Psalm 121..it’s because of you that I look to the hills from where my help comes from..I need help today..
In Loving Memory of your Double Thanks and that was double good and your double love that have supplied the whole neighborhood.. we see remnants of you today..
In Loving Memory.. of your Buffalo Rock Drinking, Bible Teaching, Blessing Bringing, your
Sanford and Son Truck Driving, Always Riding, Always Smiling, your Big Nickel promises, your random running, your 5am humming, your making something out of nothing, your grace that was so touching..
in Loving Memory of our thanking God for our daily bread for by his hands our souls are fed… grant us to grow more like to thee…
how is it that you could say you didn’t have nothing, but was the Richest woman we knew… I’m sorry that I’m blue, but your hot cocoa and grilled cheese made me feel brand new.. I didn’t need a hero suit as long as I had you.. the you of you left long before this day came, you’ve been walking away while I was calling your name, Ollie Mae, come back here Ollie Mae, but I’d still hear the Echos of you coming through…I’d still see the Essence of your truth..
Ollie Mae, Wife, Friend , Granny and Mommy
1st Lady, Willing Worker …you see serving was your hobby .. I hear you saying even now is there anything I can do and your Father in Heaven saying no you’re through, your work is done, your victory is won.. Well DONE…WELL DONE….you can come on in 🎼
Put your crown on Queen, you don’t owe anyone else a thing..
this is just in Loving Memory of everything I loved and it was all in you…it all came from you.. I’ll miss you..I call my Husband Honey and my daughter call me Mommy… I call my Husband Honey … I love them how you taught me.. not perfect, but one day at a time!! Yes Sir Master I ain’t lying..
No problem with saying the fault is mine..
no problem with adjusting my lines..
busting out the 23rd Psalm and saying
We will be just fine.. we will be just fine, we will be just fine..because the Lord is our Shepherd
in Loving Memory
We Love you and we know you love every last one of us!!
Amen and Thank God!
Our OMS Mission is to impact the world with Kingdom thinking as we inspire and influence the next generation to be bold in their faith, resilient in their focus and fierce about their integrity in their pursuit of excellence and education.