TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Betram E. Sears, Jr. 1964-2023 Bsuinessman
income, minority, and first-generation college students to succeed in their AP studies. As part of the WV Achievement Project, he also directed the Scholars Program for Martinsburg North Middle School and South Middle school high academic achievers. This afterschool math and science program prepared the students for rigorous and AP courses in high school. Perry was a member of numerous boards, including Shepherd University's Board of Governors, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College (CTC) Board of Gov- ernors and Foundation, the WV Promise Scholarship Board, the WV Human Rights Commission, West Virginia Uni- versity Health Sciences-Medical School Eastern Panhandle Advisory Committee, and the Health Sciences Technology Academy (HSTA)-Eastern Panhandle Board. He chaired the Berkeley County NAACP's Education Committee and was second Vice President of the WV State NAACP. Professionally, he served as the West Virginia School Counselor Association's president. His achievements include the WV Civil Rights Commission Award from Gover- nor Caperton, the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Committee Award, Shep- herd University's President's Medal, West Virginia State University (WVSU) President's Medal, and Blue Ridge CTC President's Medal. He was inducted into the WVSU Sports Hall of Fame and the Ohio Sports Hall of Fame. Brother Taylor J. Perry Jr. is survived by three sons, Vincent (Judy) Evans, Cecil Evans, and Tab (Patricia) Perry; a daugh- ter, Jamie (Peter Brandt) Braxton; three grandchildren, Tanicia, Tab, Jr., and Natalie; and eight great-grandchildren, Max, Samantha, Jaeden, Triana, Isley, Serenity, Mya, and Haven. Perry is also survived by his devoted and dedicated partner, Melinda "Kimmy" Grantham, who was his primary caretaker in his final years. He was preceded in death by a son, Steven Perry; and his five brothers and sisters, Versie, William, Thomas, Dorothy, and Rois.
Thomas L. Smith 1936-2022 Educator, Coach, U.S. Army
Bertram E. Sears, Jr. (Pi 1984) entered the Chapter Invisible on March 18, 2023, at age 58. Bertram Edward Sears, Jr., was
Thomas Leonard Smith
(Beta Sigma 1956) entered the Chap- ter Invisible on Monday, January 17, 2022. He was born in Asbury Park, NJ on May
born on July 16, 2023, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to the late Dr. Bertram E. Sears, Sr. (Pi 1947) and Frances (née Wilson) Sears. A Life Member of the Fraternity, Sears was a member of the Atlanta (GA) Alumni Chapter. After graduating from Bishop McGuin- ness High School, Sears followed in his father’s footsteps and attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. While a student at Morehouse, he won the prestigious Merrill Scholarship, which included a full scholarship to study abroad in Germany during his junior year. In 1986, he earned a B.A. in political science and graduated with honors, including induction into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. He later earned an MBA degree from Har- vard University. For over 20 years, Sears held senior executive positions at the Southern Company, Omi Power Clean, and Cox Automotive Inc. Brother Bertram “Buddy” Sears, Jr. is survived by the love of his life and wife of 34 years, Jackie Sears; children Ber- tram (Trent) III (Pi 2016) and Jasmine; sisters Sheryl Sears and Kay Frances Sears Hairston; in-laws, nephews, a niece and a host of cousins. Forever cherishing his memory is his loving mother, Fannie Gipson; devoted sister Sonja Rahim; and a host of aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins, and beloved friends.
14, 1936, the third of eight children born to his mother, Gertrude Elizabeth Saun- ders and Harold Saunders. He received his formative education in Kindergarten through eighth grades at Bangs Avenue Grammar School in Asbury Park, and was a 1954 graduate of Asbury Park High School. He earned a B.S. degree in Physical Education from Delaware State College (now University) in 1958 where he was a member of the Hornets track team. He later earned a M.S. degree in recreation from the University of Iowa in 1965. He served in the U.S. Army and re- ceived his honorable discharge in 1964. He began his professional career as a physical education instructor and tennis coach. He subsequently moved to Stam- ford, CT where he taught for 28 years as a physical education teacher and was also the first African American Health and Physical Education teacher, basket- ball coach and tennis coach at Wes- thill High School. Life Member of the Fraternity, Smith was a charter member and longtime active member for 65 years of the Stamford (CT) Alumni Chapter. He was a past Keeper of Records for the chapter. In 2012, the chapter bestowed its Achievement Award to Smith. Brother Thomas L. Smith is survived by his wife of fifty years: Margaret (née Jackson) Smith, two sons: Carter Thomas (Nikisha) Smith and Mark Leonard Smith (Stamford (CT) Alumni 2009); five sisters: Amy Ludlow, Viola Smith, Cicely Saunders, Patricia (Daniel) Roberts and Sharon Saunders and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
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