Melrita A. Smith Pickens, 61, died on February 19, 1993 in Tacoma, WA. Her parents were Nathaniel and Bethel Reed Smith.

She was born in Osawatomie, Kansas on December 7, 1931. She had lived in the Tacoma area for the last 26 years where she attended Bethlehem Baptist Church. Melrita worked for the State of Washington for 22 years and received numerous awards and certificates of recognition for her accomplishments and contributions during her career. She was well known for her work in the field of Adult Corrections and subordinate affiliations.

Melrita attended school in Osawatomie and graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1949.

She was a celebrated member of five major fraternal organizations in the Tacoma area - one being Worthy Matron of Tacoma Chapter #38, Order of Eastern Star. Eastern Star rites were held at the place of interment in Mountain View Memorial Park, Tacoma. Services celebrating her life were held in The Valley Chapel, Mountain View Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 23, 1993, with the Rev. Freeman S. Rhoades, Bethlehem Baptist Church, officiating.

Pall Bearers were Charles Murdock, Roosevelt Littlejohn, Vernell Hudson, Jesse Osborne, Larry Watson,Joe Boston. Cleophus Chapman served as an Honorary Pall Bearer.

Melrita is survived by: son, Howard Smith, Tacoma; daughter, "Mickey" B.V. Foster, Tacoma; grandchildren, Alan, Travis and Ashlee, Tacoma; mother, Bethel Smith, Osawatomie, KS; brothers, Bennie Smith and Adrain Richard, Tacoma; sister, Marietta Brockman, Tacoma; sister-in-law, Nila Smith, Tacoma; aunt, Ruth Wrench, Osawatomie, KS; uncle, Robert Reed and aunt V. Reed, Kansas City, MO; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.