By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mrs. Smith

Anna Smith, former chairwoman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party's Third Ward in Evanston and executive co-chairwoman emeritus, died at her Evanston home May 27 following a long illness.

She was 84.

"Anna Smith was a great Democrat who fought for her community and her city," said Tim Burke, co-chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party. "She wasn't afraid to take on anyone if she thought she could make improvements in government or her neighborhood."

Mrs. Smith, who was involved in politics for more than 40 years, was the only person to hold the executive co-chair emeritus title. She retired from that position two years ago.

As the oldest child in her family, she was adept at organizing and directing people, said Shirley Frazier-Evans of East Walnut Hills, her niece and successor in the Third Ward.

"She was the boss of everybody," her niece said. "Whatever she said to do, you just did it."

But her outgoing personality and wit made it easy for people to follow her lead. "She was the type of person that everybody just gravitated to because she had such a lively spirit," her niece said.

Sen. Mark Mallory, co-chairman of the county Democratic Party, said Mrs. Smith was "one of the best grassroots political organizers we had. Because of her efforts, we always knew that the polls in Evanston would be well covered on election day."

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Smith, in 1979, and two sons, Arthur Smith Jr. in 1987 and Donald L. Smith in 2000.

Survivors include three other sons, Rollan Edward Smith of Northside, Wendell Smith of Batavia and Warren Smith of Evanston; three daughters, Deborah Jean Smith of Columbus, Arlene Renee Smith Roberts of College Hill and Barbara Ann Smith Taylor of Symmes Township; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.

Services have been held. Interment was at Spring Grove Cemetery.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com