On November 4th, 1924 a beautiful baby girl was born to Cora Adams and Thomas Adams in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They named her Harriet Mae Adams. She was special from the very beginning. Not only was she the baby of her family, she was one of the first girl grandchildren in the family. Her older brothers, Winston and Thomas Adams were very protective of her. They looked out for her and she returned the favor by sounding the alarm whenever they got out of line. Harriet's upbringing was filled with a bevy of extended family, most notably her aunts and uncles. She loved them all but most often spoke of her Aunt's Maude, Cenie, and Florence. All were faithful members of First Baptist Church North Tulsa. At the age of 8, little Harriet became a member as well under the leadership of Pastor William P. Mitchell, a membership that would come to define so much of her life. Her mother insisted that she take her education seriously. She saw it as a way for her daughter to stretch beyond the societal bounds of her time. Harriet went on to become a proud graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in 1942. From there she attended both Spellman College in Atlanta, Georgia, and Langston University where she graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education in the spring of 1947.
After graduating college, she moved to Lawton, Oklahoma where she met a distinguished, quiet and confident Army Artilleryman who was stationed there. Robert T. Smith quickly swept her off her feet and soon the couple married. They were blessed with their first daughter in 1948, naming her Donna Maria. Their union was quickly tested by the emergence of the Korean War in 1950. Robert was deployed and fought valiantly for his country. Upon his return the couple was eager to continue building their family and soon they were blessed with the news that they would be having a baby boy! They named him Robert Wayne, and two years later God sent them a little girl and they named her LaRessia Ruth.
After her husband's untimely and unexpected death in 1965, Harriet was determined to create a wonderful childhood for her three children. Later in life she was known for counseling single mothers. She would say, "You have to do what's right for you and your children. They should always come first honey." Harriet was a trailblazer in more ways than one. When given the option to pull out of closing on the home she and her late husband had begun the process of purchasing, she decided to go forward with it thus becoming one of the first African American families in the neighborhood. She worked multiple jobs at the same time while doing whatever she had to do, to keep her family intact and thriving. In addition to being an amazing mother, she also loved her church. She was a member of the Trailblazers, a special group of parishioners who have been faithful members for decades. She sang for the Lord in the Chancel and Fellowship choir and never wanted to miss Sunday school. She was also a proud member of the Jobie Holderness Circle for years. After retiring she quickly realized that she needed to stay busy so she began working with the Helping Hands and Senior Companions organizations. Other than raising her family, this was her life's passion, taking care of others. For years, she worked with elderly individuals in their homes, allowing them to remain independent for a little bit longer. Harriet had a special relationship with all of her grandchildren. She was always there with a word of wisdom or a joke to lighten the atmosphere. She could "get you together" with one look and you knew you better straighten up and fly right. She was strict and expected achievement from her children, but more than that, the compassion that she showed for everyone she came in contract with will be an enduring aspect of her legacy. She had a front row seat to the 20th century.
She experienced many historic benchmarks that her grandchildren and great-grandchildren are now learning about in school. She came up in the shadow of the aftermath of Tulsa's 1921 Race Riot, the Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, 19 American Presidents including the election of our countries first African American President. Harriet was preceded in death by her mother Cora Adams, her husband Robert T. Smith, her brothers Winston and Thomas Adams, and daughter Donna M. Adams. Remaining and responsible for carrying her legacy of compassion and excellence is her daughter LaRessia Ruth Daniels (Troy), son Robert Wayne Smith (Valerie), six grandchildren, whom she adored: Robert Winston Adams, Hollie Renee Johnson (Carlton), DeShonna Daniels, ReShena Johnson, Justin Daniels, and Christina Smith, ten great-grandchildren: KeAndre Todd, Shawnice Todd, MarQuise Todd, LaRessia Todd, Robert Adams, Jr., Maresha Adams, Ronesha Adams, Iyisha Mays, Aneisha Mays, Ariyonna Adams, and a growing host of great, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends, church members and circle members.

Services will be Friday November 22, 2013 at 11AM at First Baptist Church North Tulsa.

Friends may visit her, and deliver floral arrangements on Thursday from 12Noon until 7PM in Tulsa.