In Memoriam: Anne Hebert Smith 1933-2024

SHERMAN, TEXAS — Anne Hebert Smith, married to the late former Austin College President Harry E. Smith when he began his tenure in 1978, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2024, at the age of 91.

A pioneer in the field of improvisational dance, Smith’s career spanned over 50 years, bringing joy and connection to countless individuals through movement. Her passion for dance allowed people to come together, guided by music and spontaneous interactions.

Smith was a trailblazer who pushed creative boundaries and embraced innovative possibilities. In the early 1960s, she introduced liturgical dance at the Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where her first husband, the late Rev. Harry E. Smith, served as a campus minister. For many years, she taught improvisational dance, crafting each class into a dynamic and unforgettable experience. During the Civil Rights Movement, she spearheaded a successful door-to-door campaign in Chapel Hill, playing a pivotal role in the election of Howard Lee as the first African American mayor of a majority-white city in the South.

At 65, Smith discovered a new outlet for her creativity: writing. In 2005, she self-published Anne’s Voice, a collection of her reflections and stories that delighted family and friends with its vivid recollections of personal and family milestones.

Smith is survived by her sister, Catherine Hebert Wells; her three children from her first marriage: Leslie F. Smith (Steve Estrada) of Silver Spring, Maryland, Malcolm S. Smith of Kapa’a, Kaua’i, and Laurie MacGillivray (Janet McCraw) of Memphis, Tennessee; and her three stepdaughters: Nancy Dittes, Carolyn Dittes, and Joanne Dittes Yepsen. She was a devoted grandmother to Carmen and Annie Smith-Estrada, Emma, Laura, and Cole Yepsen, Jake and Ian Dittes, and Kyle and Devin McNamara.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Montgomery Hospice in her honor.

Anne Hebert Smith’s legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched through her creativity, compassion, and adventurous spirit.

Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.