Jolita A Smith

Jolita Allene (Whitfield) Smith, known colloquially by her middle name, Allene, was born on June 21, 1939, in Benton Harbor, MI. She was the second and left-handed mirror twin of Rev. Eddie and Nellie B. Whitfield (Gilchrist). She grew up in a loving home and learned the value of love, education, and hard work. She attended Columbus Elementary, Benton Harbor Junior High, and graduated from Benton Harbor High School in the class of 1957. During this period, she met the love of her life, Sammie Smith, who was serving in the U.S. Air Force. They were married for 64 loving years, and to this union, three children were born: Jolita Darlene, Leontyne Collene, and Michael Christopher (died at birth).

Allene became the first African American teller at People’s Savings bank. She attended Twin City Beauty College and became a licensed cosmetologist. She served for several years as secretary of the Benton Harbor Dental Clinic. She transitioned to her passion, cosmetology working at Cuts Plus until her battle with cancer prevented her from working any longer. She also co-owned and managed the Zodeak club, with her husband Sammie during this same period.

Beyond her work, she had a deeply caring nature. She unconditionally loved her children, grandchildren, family and community and most notably her twin Darlene. Allene received many community awards and accolades for her excellence in community involvement. She served on the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education for 16 years, Berrien RESA Board for over 12 years, Class of 1957 Reunion Committee, BHHS Senior Celebration Committee, Strong Women of Faith, Berrien County Cancer Service Board of Directors; and was an A for Asthma Ambassador. She was a nominee for the prestigious Margaret B. Upton Volunteer Award, and was awarded the Berrien Resa Presidence Award in 2025. She was deeply spiritual and committed to her faith and, as such, was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where she was an Elder, Trustee and faithfully served at their weekly community dinners.

Allene was a mother to many and her home was a place of refuge comfort to many. Her generous love was expressed by always being present at family events, games, awards, banquets, church service, birthday parties, graduations, and more. Her mission was to attend! Family was vitally important to her. She helped organize large family reunions in different states, bringing extended families together from across the country. You could also count on her to call and sing Happy Birthday to everyone on their birthday even though she couldn’t sing.

Allene and Sammie believed that family was of the utmost importance. They enjoyed gatherings at their home. Cars packing the grass yard, driveway, and street were a regular sight. She never wanted anyone to go without experiencing the deep family connection she cherished. Every holiday, everyone she knew was invited to her house for dinner. She was the community grandma.

Her pound cake was a family favorite and her signature gift for birthdays. It is believed that the secret to her cakes, aside from love, was that she usually started them after the 11 p.m. news ended. Allene used her passion for baking to share precious moments with her grandchildren. Whether they helped bake the cake or just helped eat it, it was one of the many ways she expressed her love to her family.

Allene was always busy, enjoyed an active life, and was notably inseparable from her twin, Darlene. During the day, they were hard to track down—they were constantly on the move. They were likely at a community event or taking grandchildren out to eat or the beach. More likely, they were at a rummage sale, finding a great deal. At night, she enjoyed her favorite

television shows and multiple evening news segments, and she was not to be disturbed until after they ended. She stayed up later than everyone and still rose earlier than most.

She was loved and will be profoundly missed. Her legacy will be a treasure to those who loved her and had the privilege of knowing her. Jolita Allene Smith, this is who she was to her family: J is for the joy she brought. O is for how outstanding she was, oh yes indeed. L is for all the love she gave. I am for how intelligent she was. T is for her thoughtfulness towards others and us. A is for how awesome she was. Fight on, our fighter.

She took her rest on December 13, 2025, surrounded by her twin, family, and loved ones. She is survived by sisters, Joy Darlene Hawkins and Edda N. W. Dickerson; brother, Steward G. Whitfield; daughters, Jolita (Maurice) Burton, Leontyne (James) Hines, and bonus daughter, Charase Dorsey; grandchildren, Imyn Burton, Marcellus (Shakinna) Burton, Joseph Hines, and Alyse Hines; great-grandchildren, Marcellus Jr., Jessie, Malia, and Mariya Burton; bonus grandchildren, Michael Hawkins, Ashley and Kellie Dorsey; 14 bonus great-grandchildren, sisters-in-love, Surfronuia Pitts and Danethel Whitfield; a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Sammie, son Michael, sister Jewell Jones, brothers Eddie Jr. and William L. Whitfield.

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