Miriam Walden Smith

Miriam Walden Smith (1920-1989) was instrumental in the education of nursing students in Roanoke. Born on August 7, 1920, she was originally from Southampton County, Virginia. In 1947, by then a registered nurse, she married A. Byron Smith, a Roanoke-based bail bondsman and fuel dealer.

Nursing Career

In 1958 Miriam Smith, along with Kim Claytor, founded the Burrell Memorial Hospital–Lucy Addison High School of Practical Nursing. She served as the director of the school, as well as an instructor, for twenty years, until her retirement.

Miriam Smith remained heavily involved with the hospital throughout her life. She was an active participant in the Burrell Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, serving as the organization’s vice president and offering her time on varying committees, including the membership, programs, reception, and purchasing committee, serving as the chairman for this last committee.

Personal Life

In addition to her many years of service to Burrell Memorial Hospital and the Roanoke Public Schools, Miriam Smith was the president of the Roanoke chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, and she presided over the 36th annual meeting of the Old Dominion Graduate Nurses Association.

Smith died on November 15, 1989.

See Also

Sources

Bishop, M. (2001, May 6). He has overcome. The Roanoke Times, NewsBank.

Burrell Memorial Hospital Association. (1977, December). Nursing school. Burrell News, 1. Gainsboro Branch Library Vertical Files, Roanoke, VA, United States.

Burrell Memorial Hospital Association Incorporated. (1964, July-Aug.-Sept.). Women’s Auxiliary renovates children’s ward. Illumination VII(4).

Nurse association meets in 36th annual convention. (1952, July 12). New Journal and Guide, ProQuest.

Obit – Smith, Albert Byron. (2014, Feb. 27). The Roanoke Times, NewsBank.

Osborne, O. (1976, Sept. 29). Joan Mondale campaigns in city. The Roanoke Times.

Roanoke club women elect officers. (1964, June 6). New Journal and Guide, ProQuest.