PAMELA CORELA SMITH

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation the National Scleroderma Foundation at scleroderma.org– Texas Bluebonnet Chapter.

Pamela C. Smith was born on August 14, 1970, to the union of Junior C. and Edith Smith. She spent her formative years in Virginia.

Pamela’s passion for education would lead her to the University of Virginia where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting. During this time, she was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She then began her tax career at Arthur Andersen & Co in Washington, DC. However, she soon decided to pursue advanced degrees and continued her education at Virginia Tech. She earned her Ph.D. and Master of Business Administration in Accounting. With degrees in hand, she arrived at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Alverez College of Business.

Her career at UTSA spanned 22 years. She had a decorated career which included work not only as a faculty member, but also as an administrator. She taught federal income tax to both undergraduates and graduates. As an administrator, she served as interim dean of the Alverez College of Business (2021-2022); associate dean of administration and faculty (2019-2023); and associate dean of graduate studies (2016-2019). She spearheaded and was a part of many initiatives which had the goal of enhancing the college of business and its students.

She shared her passion for higher education by being a faculty mentor of the Ph.D. Project, an organization that works to encourage diversity in business school faculty. She encouraged doctoral students to join this organization.  She mentored young faculty and administrators within the college of business and served as a role model as a female African American administrator. Pamela was also a faculty coordinator for the college’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Because of her work, she was a recipient of Endowed 1969 Commemorative Faculty Award for Overall Faculty Excellence in 2008 and again in 2023. Also receiving the Dean’s Excellence Award in Community Service.

Outside of UTSA, Pamela was a member of several professional organizations. In addition, she volunteered with the Boys & Girls Club and Seton Home. She was also a dedicated member of the Scleroderma Foundation.

In San Antonio, she met Odell Johnson, the man who would “treat me like the Princess that I am.” On June 18, 2005, Odell and Pamela married. Because of their love, the self-proclaimed city-slicker moved to the country, stared down country wildlife, and even owned cattle.

Pamela’s immense faith allowed her to courageously battle a chronic illness. On August 2, 2023, Pamela’s pain and suffering ended and she began her peaceful rest. She is preceded in death by her father, Junior C. Smith.

Those who will cherish her memory, her laugh, her passion for knowledge, and her love are her husband, Odell Johnson. Her stepdaughters, Heather Johnson and her children Aaleyah Byrd, Kimaya Byrd, Kaden Byrd; and Jo Anna Johnson and her son, Greyson Johnson. Her mother Edith Smith, her brother and wife Keith and Shelley Smith; her niece and nephews, Serena Smith, Davis Smith, and Keith Smith, II. Also a host of cousins and friends.