Annie P. Smith, Daughter of the late Willie and Naomi Rice Fussell, was born on April 24, 1932 in Rose Hill, North Carolina. She departed this life on May 29, 2008 after a valiant battle against a terminal illness. She began her early education at the Rose Hill School before moving to Baltimore, Maryland at the age of eight. She continued her education at Douglas High School where she developed a passion for reading and writing. Annie began her professional career at the age of 18. She worked for several major companies including Commercial Credit. She ended her professional career forty-seven years later, retiring from the State of Maryland in 1997. She was a life long member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church and worked diligently with the Soup Kitchen ministry. In 1955, she married the late John H. Smith, III and out of this union three children were born, Kim, Avis and John, IV. Annie had many hobbies including sketching, cultivating flowers, a love for classical music and other creative arts. She was known for extraordinary singing which she shared through participation with the St. Cecilia Omni Choir and the Archdiocesan Choir of Baltimore. She sang for Pope John Paul II during his trip to Baltimore in 1995 and at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy in 1997. Her favorite song: Ave Maria. She leaves to mourn: two daughters, Kim M. Murray and Avis Naomi Smith; one son, John H. Smith, IV; one brother, William Fussell; a favorite cousin, Joseph Brown; four grandchildren, Tobie, Louis, John V, and Jasmine; three brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.