Obituary of Sally A. Smith

Sally A. Smith, 85 of Iowa City, Iowa died Friday, February 5, 2010, at Oaknoll Retirement Residence in Iowa City. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 13, 2010, at the First Christian Church in Coralville. Private family graveside services will take place at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Sally’s memory to the First Christian Church. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Sally’s family and her services. She was born 8/30/24 in McKeesport, PA to Helen (Van Lehn) and Raymond Smith. Moved to a farm near Salem, OH where she graduated from Greenford High School. She graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Business Administration, and from Lexington Theological Seminary with a Master’s Degree in Religious Education. She served a Minister of Christian Education at First Christian Church in Springfield, IL. In 1955 she moved to Iowa City, IA to serve as campus minister for the Iowa Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) and minister of education at First Christian Church. She eventually became a full-time campus minister for the United Campus Ministry of the Christian Church, the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterians, where she served until retiring in 1986. Some of the programs she was instrumental in organizing and working with include the Melrose Day Care, the Loan Closet for International Students, the Changing Family conferences, Iowa International Peace Camps, and Life/Work Planning Workshops. During the 1960’s, she went to Mississippi twice to work with the Disciples Church in integration efforts and interpreting to others what was happening. During the Vietnam War, she monitored student protest activities and tried to interpret these to others. After the Vietnam War ended, she went to Vietnam three times with small groups, once as a co-leader, to promote reconciliation. She was also involved in the women’s movement, offering workshops, programs and discussion groups. She wrote a number of articles and educational materials for church publications. Some of the church organizations she chaired include the First Christian Church Board and other committees, the Association of Campus Ministers, and the Council on Ministries in Higher Education. She was a member of the regional church board, and the Division of Higher Education Board. In 1992 she was elected as a charter member into the honorary Disciples Society for Faith and Reason in recognition of outstanding service in joining faith and reason in higher education. She served on and chaired the Iowa City Human Relations Commission and also served on the Iowa City Committee on Community Needs. She was a charter member of the New Horizon Senior Band. Survivors include a sister, Ruth Akers of Reno, NV, a niece, Kathleen Akers and her husband John Beatty of Reno, NV, and a nephew, David Akers of Washington, D.C.