The honoree presented the first Clarence R. and Rose Marie Scholarship
YOUNGSTOWN
Clarence R. “Sonny” Smith Jr., a generous man who said he prefers to avoid the spotlight, was recognized Sunday at a dinner in his honor for his long-time support of Sister Jerome’s missions to help financially poor students get good educations.
Smith, a Columbiana County businessman, also serves on the advisory board of Sister Jerome’s Mission, which helps capable college students from low-income families break the cycle of generational poverty.
Master of ceremonies for Mark Munroe described Sister Jerome and Smith a powerhouse, a stable force for good in the community.”
Smith worked as a truck driver for Diamond Steel Construction Co., a company founded by his father. When his father became ill, Smith left Kenyon University in his junior year to manage the family business. He later established Compco Industries and the Compco Land Co., and was instrumental in the start-up of several other area businesses.
The Rev. Sean Kelly, pastor of Greenford Christian Church, which is Smith’s church, described his parishioner at the Maronite Center event as a “selfless man always thinking of the next generation.”
That was proven at Sunday’s fundraiser at which Ramone A Elkins, a graduate of Youngstown’s East High School, was awarded the first Clarence R. and Rose Marie Smith Scholarship; and Tekia Huggins, a Jerome Mission College graduate, talked about her experience with Sister Jerome missions.
Elkins earned an associate’s degree in general studies from Erie Community College – North in Buffalo, N.Y., and is attending Walsh University in North Canton from which he expects to graduate in 2017 with a degree in physical education.
Huggins, born and raised on the South Side of Youngstown by her grandmother, described Sister Jerome as a “beacon of light for me and many others.”
She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and is pursuing a master’s degree.
Huggins thanked Sister Jerome’s Mission’s advisory committee and Smith for his “guidance and support helping make the Mission College possible.”
Smith’s daughter, Gwen Darnell, said that as long as she can remember her father has supported Sister Jerome’s programs.
“The both believe that the youth are the future,” said Darnell, who described her father as a humble man and her greatest inspiration.
“In dad’s life, God is first. He lives by one simple rule ... remain true to God and to himself,” she said.
He also strongly believed in eating together.
“We solved problems . We learned to believe in ourselves. We laughed and we cried together and made memories around the table,” Darnell said. Her parents have been married for 66 years.
Don Booth, one of Smith’s best friends, said: “It’s beautiful people like you [Smith] who make this a wonderful place to live.”
Sister Jerome, who was recently injured in a fall, paid tribute to Smith via a video.
“I want to thank every person in this room. I did not expect this. The good Lord has been very good to me,” said Smith, 88.
“I want to say how much pleasure it was to work with Sister Jerome. She has a broken hip and she is still helping children,” he said.
“God bless all of you for helping me all my life,” he said.