TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
American Advisory Board. Predeceased by his brother Bob and sister-in-law Patricia, Brother Donald Ryder is survived by his wife of 63 1/2 years, the former Shauneille Gantt Perry; daughters Lorraine Ryder; Natalie (Ken) Redcross, PhD; Gail (Tafara) Tigere, PhD; sister Bernadine Ryder Matthews; grandchildren Evan, Sophia, Shaunelle and Paul; nieces Beverly, Gwendolyn, and Deanne; nephews Dwayne, Dar- ryl, and Jack and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
MI.
and Spring Fling, which recognized/ awarded notable Detroit area Spartans. Under his leadership in the Detroit Chapter, he ensured that the Detroit Chapter kept ties to the community by supporting The Rhonda Walker Foun- dation, Northwest Activities Center, American Red Cross, Forgotten Harvest, MSU Detroit Center, Give Green Day, Native Detroiter Magazine, and the Horatio Williams Center. Before his death, the MSUBA De- troit Chapter raised funds to establish the Charles J. Smith Expendable Schol- arship Fund at Michigan State Uni- versity. vAfter his passing, the Detroit Chapter of the MSUBA began raising funds to establish the Charles J. Smith Endowed Scholarship Fund to honor his legacy in perpetuity. Brother Charles J. Smith was preceded in death by his parents and beloved brother, Henry Lee Smith (Rick). He leaves to cherish his mem- ory: son; Tremell Lowell; three siblings, David (Karen) Smith, Steven Smith, and Gayle Smith; close relatives, nieces and nephews, cousins; special friend Brother Harold Bulger (Delta Pi 1969) and a host of other close friends.
Smith's friends would describe him as an optimistic person who always worked hard to push an agenda. Known by friends as "The Chairman," Charles led by example and developed a reputa- tion of always being in charge. He was the ultimate networker, the guy who selflessly brought people together to help each other and consequently was the "glue" among friends, his brothers in Delta Pi, and the MSU Black Alumni community. He was energetic and fun, and if there was a great party to be held, he likely had something to do with it. Smith lived a full life. Smith devoted his life after college to supporting students and assisting them to enroll into and graduate from Michi- gan State University. He has served as president of both the National and De- troit Chapter of the Michigan State Uni- versity Black Alumni (MSUBA). Smith was an original member when MSUBA was created and remained one of the organization's most dedicated and pas- sionate warriors. As one of the organiza- tion's longest-serving board members, he was instrumental in leading 40 annual homecoming weekends and played a sig- nificant role in raising substantial funds for scholarships. Smith drove to East Lansing hundreds of times to mentor students and meet with administrators and alumni over the decades. At the time of his passing, he was an MSUBA national board member and treasurer of the MSUBA Detroit Chapter. On the local level, Smith was a visionary leader in the Detroit Chapter of the MSUBA, who along with other Spartans, spearheaded the annual Belle Isle MSUBA picnic, which evolved into the Detroit Black Alumni Weekend and Block Party with the Black Alumni of MSU, University of Michigan (UM), Wayne State University, and Eastern Michigan University. He was the mastermind behind the legendary MSU and UM Annual Urban Tailgate and the MSU Welcome Freshman Reception
Charles J. Smith 1950-2021 MSU Alumni Leader, Executive Management
Charles J. Smith (Delta Pi 1969) entered the Chapter Invisible in Detroit, MI, on June 16, 2021, at the age of 70. Charles Jerome Smith was born on
July 17, 1950, in Elbert, WV. He was the oldest of seven children born to the late Elder Charles Arthur Smith and the late Clara Christine Smith. He was affectionally known as "Chuck" by all of his friends and family. He attended Chadsey High School on Detroit's west side. After graduation from high school in 1968, Smith enrolled at Michigan State University (MSU) in Lansing, MI. While a member of the Delta Pi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Smith led the chapter as its polemarch. Smith earned a B.S. degree from MSU in 1973 in criminal justice. After graduation from MSU, Smith began his career at the J.L. Hudson Company in their management training program and later worked for the City of Detroit Workforce Development Depart- ment, the Coca Cola Company, and Heublein (IDV), Inc. during his career. At the time of his passing, Smith worked as a Court Officer for Wayne County,
Lesley M. Spaulding 1947-2021 Educator, Business Owner, U.S. Air Force
Lesley M. “Mac” Spaulding (Greenville (N.C.) AL 1996) entered the Chapter Invis- ible on January 28, 2021, at 73. Lesley McDaniel Spaulding was
born on June 14, 1947, in Clarkton, NC. And was the oldest of three chil- dren born to the late Daniel Lesley and Alice (née Shaw) Spaulding. He was a 1965 graduate of Artesia High School in Hallsboro, NC. Spauld- ing earned a B.S. degree in public
THE JOURNAL ♦ SPRING 2022
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