I was born on March 20, 1943 in Birmingham, Alabama to loving parents Eugene Fellows and Willie Clara Jackson-Fellows. When I was 19 months old my parents, my brother Charles, and I moved to Cleveland, Ohio.

My education was received in the Cleveland Public School System attending Miles Standish Elementary, Empire Junior High and John Hay Senior High School. Extended education was at Cuyahoga Community College.

My work experience has mainly been in the medical field having worked at Veterans Administration Hospital (presently Louis Stokes VA Medical Center) and Cleveland Clinic Foundation. I retired in August 1995 from Cleveland Clinic having worked there for 22 years.

I was married twice to two great and wonderful men who each in their own way helped me grow and mature into the person I became; Wiley Smith III (deceased 1995) and Rev. Hugh Herbert Hardy (deceased 2010). Although no biological children were born of these marriages, I have had the great pleasure of claiming several Godchildren as my own.

I am the proud Auntie of Natosha, Rhonda, Aisha and Anisha; Great Auntie of Christopher, Haille, ____________, ____________, Eric, Elijah, Elaysia, Mikayla, Kayden, Kaylee. and Kayson

I enjoy bowling, traveling, entertaining and being with people. My greatest pleasure is doing things for others. If I can help somebody as I pass along the way, then my living will not have been in vain.

I joined Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church in 1950 with my mother and brother, under the pastorate of Rev. John Rollin Plummer. During the years, I have been very active in the church working in practically all areas whenever asked or needed. I was a member of the Progressive League and the Deborah Circle of the Missionary Department.

My true identity is….I am a Child of God. I believe in God for I know He has watched over me all of my life. I am blessed, truly blessed for I know that He has made it possible for me to do and achieve whatever has transpired. I am not perfect and I stumble often, but the saving Grace is forgiving and patient. Through my personal relationship with God, He knows that I have tried and I thank Him every day. My daily prayer is for Him to teach me to be humble and faithful.

Two of my favorite scriptures, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourself: it is the gift of God”, Ephesians 2:8 and “I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me”, Philippians 4:13.

If you are reading this, it means that I have made my transition, so I say to all of you, “thanks for sharing and being part of my life”. Don’t be sad, rejoice and enjoy your life, I am happy and, hopefully, with my other loved ones and most importantly with my God and Savior.

Until we meet again, love to all of you.

Be blessed,

Madelyn

(Author: Madelyn Y. Fellows Smith-Hardy
Written August 24, 2016)