Smith-Payne Praised for Service to Eddy County

By Michael Bromka

Bernita Smith-Payne, a teacher and former principal for Carlsbad Municipal Schools, received acclaim from fellow members of the Eddy County NAACP at SENMC on Saturday, May 9.

Collis Johnson presided over a gathering of two dozen. By motion and vote, chapter business was postponed until the next meeting. Five speakers praised Bernita’s decades of service to Carlsbad’s youth.

LaVern Shan recalled sage advice she had received from Bernita’s eminent father, Dr. Emmit Smith, who facilitated the peaceful integration of Carlsbad schools three-quarters of a century ago. Collis noted Bernita’s long and strong participation in neighborhood, church, and city life.

Ellen Krumm highlighted and gave thanks for Bernita’s outstanding support and care for students with Special Educational needs.

Dr. Joy James-Foster spoke of Bernita as “educator, leader, mentor, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a devoted servant to the Carlsbad community.”

Deeply grateful, Dr. Joy cited Bernita’s kindness and support as Joy cared for her own terminally ill mother. Bernita taught Joy’s daughter, Campbell, who now excels as both a scholar and an athlete.

Bernita’s own remarks were wry and engaging. In the musical-chairs evolution as the district expanded, she had presided over two elementary schools, one named Emmit Smith.

Carlsbad Municipal Schools administrators ask Bernita, in retirement, to consider staying on their substitute teacher list. She admits to being tempted to sub at a yet-to-be-built middle school planned on the south end of town, slated to be named Emmit Smith.

Capping praise were rhyming lines by this reporter, entitled “Marathon Gal.”

“An octogenarian whiz / who lifelong has aced every quiz / exam thesis test! / With her who’s impressed? / You kidding? All of us is!”