In September 1954, I left Vicksburg and Mississippi for what seems a long time - seven years!  Graduating from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee in 1958, I proceeded to enroll in the General Theological Seminary, New York City.  It was during my "schooling" in New York that I discovered another "school" - the school of serious courtship.  Angela Keyser, an English nurse, was doing graduate studies at Mt. Sinai Hospital.  We meet at St. Thomas' Church, Fifth Avenue.  (I won't say where we went after church.)  Upon graduation from General in May 1961, I headed for England to get engaged.  We were married in Angela's home parish, St. Mary the Virgin, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, in November 1961.

 

The next thirty years found us back in Mississippi.  I served congregations in south Mississippi, finally arriving in Jackson for the last twenty-two of those years.  In time we became parents of three blessings: Kathleen, Andrew and Charles.  When Charles was three weeks old, we packed the car and drove to Tennessee where I enrolled in graduate school at the University of the South.  (I never was one for appropriate timing!)   After early child rearing ended, Angela got her certification in Mississippi and worked part-time with the State Board of Health as a Nurse/Midwife.

 

During the course of my ministry, I took a sabbatical year in England, studying and working on the staff of Coventry Cathedral.  It was an education for all of us.  Three Mississippi children in an English school were a sight to see, and to hear.  Also we were only three miles from their English grandparents. It was a wonderful experience for all!  It was during this time that I missed our first class reunion in 1974.

 

In 1991 Angela and I left Mississippi for South Carolina.  I was to be the rector of a church serving a congregation of mostly retired Northerner and Midwesterners. This parish serves three islands twenty miles south of Charleston.  What an undertaking for this Southern boy!  Well, the area had nine golf courses and one church.  They did not retire here to go to church!  For a period of four years we had our three children living in the Charleston area.  Kathleen, her husband Steve and their two children (Jessie and Graham) moved to Duluth, Minnesota.  There was not enough snow in Charleston for our Minnesota Norwegian Lutheran son-in-law.  (Garrison Keillor describes Steve's profile accurately.) 

 

Upon retirement in 2001, we moved into Charleston proper. I continue to coordinate the Deacons' training for the Diocese, offer spiritual direction to individuals and conduct church services on occasions.  Andrew, his wife Audrey and daughter Eliza, live directly across the street.  Charles is only a few miles away.  Charleston is the place where the Ashley and Cooper rivers meet to form the Atlantic Ocean.  Charleston and the low country are fabulous in many ways!  We have two guestrooms with separate bath.  Y'all come! 

 

I regret missing all of our reunions.  There have been conflicts every time!  October 4^th-11^th 2004, I have a conference in Florida that has been scheduled for over a year.   We enjoy our home in Charleston, but I do miss the "hills of Vicksburg."  Blessing to all! 

Angela and Colton Smith

10 Oakdale Place

Charleston, South Carolina 29407-7153

telephone:  843-402-6928      e-mail: asmith915@comcast