Avis Augusta Smith

1901 - 1981  (80 years)

• Name	Avis Augusta Smith  [1, 2]
  Birth	4 Apr 1901	Odessa Township, Ionia County, Michigan   [1, 2]
  Gender	Female
  Death	7 Nov 1981	St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida
  Burial	Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan
  Notes	Bert and Ida Smith had a neighbor named Tom Avis, whom they greatly admired. They vowed to name their first child after him, Tom if it was a boy, and Avis if it was a girl. This is how Avis acquired her unusual first name.Thomas Avis was a railroad agent in Odessa. His father was from England. Her middle name, Augusta, was given to her in rememberance of her grandfather, Augustus Elliott. LaVonne Bennett found the following "tidbits" related to the Avis family who was so admired by Bert and Ida Smith. In the Thursday, March 12, 1903 edition of the LAKE ODESSA WAVE newspaper, in a column titled 'Local Splinters': "Homer and Lola Avis were at Lansing Saturday, taking music lessons." The IONIA DAILEY STANDARD, dated April 8, 1909 notes that "Miss Lola Avis is home from Olivet College for Easter vacation." Lola and Homer were the children of Tom and Gertrude Avis, according to the 1900 census. Avis was an excellent student, and attended Michigan State University, as had her father. Avis's degree was in Human Ecology (Home Economics). She had also studied chemistry, but said that she was told as a woman that she would not be considered qualified to teach this. In a letter Avis wrote to her oldest granddaughter, Melinda McLemore, after Melinda started college in 1978, Avis recounted her own experiences: "I can remember when I graduated--my Latin teacher wanted me to go to Western Michigan or Kalmazoo College in Kalamazoo, and I wanted to go. But my folks wanted me to go to M.S.U at East Lansing, about 12 miles from home. Then I could help in the store on Saturdays. At the end of the first year, my counselor convinced me that the world was going scientific, and that I should return. I am glad that I did stay with science. But the college was so BIG. 2,000--Ha! I never felt completely at home on that big, sprawling campus." In a later letter she wrote: "The math would frighten me now-as it did when I was a freshman. I loved French. Had a native teacher." On June 2, 1925, the following letter was sent to Miss Avis Smith, Cass City, Michigan, from W.W. Warner, Superintendent of Saginaw, East Side, Public Schools: My dear Miss Smith: Since our interview I have learned from the present outlook at Central Junior High that we are quite likely to have a "Clothing" program in full or in part still unprovided for next year. I am inclined to think we can use you to advantage on this program. I am therefore enclosing you an appointment card. This carries a salary of $1475. By properly signing the card and returning it to this office, and you yourself retaining this letter as evidence of your appointment you will have a legal contract. Sincerely yours, W.W. Warner The following year, the Board of Education of Saginaw, Michigan once again employed Avis A. Smith as teacher in its public schools "....commencing September 1, 1926, and agrees to pay as wages for such services and work at the rate of $157.50 per month....." She was offered a renewal of her contract for the period of September 1, 1927 to July 1, 1928 under the same terms, but at the increased rate of $160 per month. However, she chose to resign at this time, perhaps because of her recent marriage. She received the following letter in response to her resignation: Saginaw Public Schools Office of the Superintendent Saginaw, Michigan August Twenty Second Nineteen Twenty Seven Mrs. Avis Benkelman Box 35 Cass City, Michigan Dear Mrs. Benkelman This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter resigning your position with us. I shall be glad to present this to the Board at our next meeting and have no doubt they will accept it. We are sorry to lose your from our school system and wish to thank you for your good work done in the past. Very sincerely yours, Harold Steele Superintendent Although she no longer taught, Avis stayed active and involved with education. She and several close friends from a social group for University Women were tireless volunteers. A pet project was the Rawson Memorial Library (endowed by the Dentist her husband worked for). Her support was remembered many years after she had moved away from Cass City. In a letter dated June 10, 1988 to Melinda Strong, acknowledging a donation made to the Rawson Library in memory of her grandparents, Barbara Hutchison, Director noted that "Your grandparents were indeed well known in Cass City and avid supporters of the library. Your grandmother served on the library board in the 1950's and 60's and was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the outstanding library service that the community enjoys today. They would have been very pleased with the lovely library that we have now. " She also served as treasurer of the Cass City Chapter of the Michigan State College Alumni Association (Cass City Chronicle, Friday, Feb. 8, 1952, Page twelve, column six, M.S.C. Alumni Dinner.) Cass City Chronicle March 10, 1939 Local Happenings, Page Four Mrs. B.F. Benkelman, Jr., and Mrs. Grant Patterson were joint hostesses at a dessert bridge Thursday evening in the Benkelman home on Woodland Avenue. Bridge was played at eight tables, honors being won by Mrs. Warren Wood, Mrs. A. Hesburn and Mrs. D.A. Krug. Avis and her husband, Ben Benkelman of Cass City, Michigan retired in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she died, November 7, 1981. Her obituary, as published in the St. Petersburg newspaper, follows: Benkelman, Avis A., 80, of 7901 40th Av. N., died Saturday (Nov. 7, 1981). Born in Lake Odessa, Mich., she came here in 1968 from Cass City, Mich., where she was a school teacher. She was a member of the Seminole United Methodist Church. Survivors include her husband, Benjamin F.; a daughter Bonnie McLemore, Barrington, Ill., and three granddaughters. National Cremation Society. Written by Melinda McLemore Strong, granddaughter, circa 1995 and revised periodically
  Person ID	I18	Strong Family Tree
  Last Modified	28 Dec 2020

  
  

  Father	William Bertis Smith,   b. 20 Jun 1868, Odessa Township, Ionia County, Michigan d. 24 May 1940, Grand Ledge, Eaton County, Michigan (Age 71 years)
  Mother	Ida Alice Elliott,   b. 13 Dec 1866, Seneca County, Ohio d. 27 Jan 1946, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan (Age 79 years)
  Marriage	11 May 1898	Odessa Township, Ionia County, Michigan   [2, 3]
  Documents		Smith, Avis Augusta Bible Records, p 2 of 4 Family Register page listing her parents, William Bert Smith and Ida Alice Elliott
  Family ID	F17	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Benjamin Franklin Benkelman, Jr.,   b. 17 Nov 1899, Jaqua, Cheyenne County, Kansas d. 8 Mar 1998, Houston, Harris County, Texas (Age 98 years)
  Marriage	24 Aug 1926	Grand Ledge, Eaton County, Michigan   [2, 4]
  	Per the Certificate of Marriage between Ben F. Benkelman and Avis A. Smith, the couple were joined in marriage at Grand Ledge, County of Eaton, Michigan, on the 24th day of August, A.D. 1926, in the presence of Wm B. Smith and Ida Smith of Grand Ledge (the bride's parents) as witnesses. The clergyman officiating was Ernst R. Lactham, Pastor of the Congregational Church.
  Children	1. Bonnie Jean Benkelman,   b. 8 Dec 1933, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan d. 26 Sep 2023, Houston, Harris County, Texas (Age 89 years)
  Documents » Slide Show		Smith, Avis Augusta marriage to Ben Benkelman Marriage License issued in Eaton County, Michigan
  		Smith, Avis Augusta Family Bible, p 4 of 4 Marriages information, listing the marriage of Avis to Ben Benkelman, as well as the marriage of their only child, Bonnie
  		Benkelman, Ben and Avis Home, 1920's through 1940's The home of Ben and Avis Benkelman, 4354 Woodland, Cass City, Michigan ca 1940's
  		Benkelman, Ben and Avis Home, 1940's through 1960's The Benkelman Home on West Street in Cass City. This was the home the Benkelman's moved to when Bonnie was in High School, and this photo of it was taken in the late 1950's.
  		Benkelman, Ben and Avis, Lake Huron Weekend Cottage Ben and Avis's summer cottage, Sand Point, Caseville, Michigan on Huron Bay
  Family ID	F12	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	9 Dec 2006

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 4 Apr 1901 - Odessa Township, Ionia County, Michigan Marriage - 24 Aug 1926 - Grand Ledge, Eaton County, Michigan Death - 7 Nov 1981 - St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida Burial - - Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		Smith, Avis ca 1906 Avis Augusta Smith was the eldest child of Bert and Ida Smith, born in 1901 in Odessa Township, Michigan.
  		Smith, Avis ca 1907 This photograph was probably taken after the Smith family moved to Grand Ledge, Michigan, probably around the time that Avis's younger sister Ilo was born.
  		Herbert, John Jacob and Ella Children plus two unknown The children of John and Ella Herbert, Odessa Township, Michigan, with their first cousins, Avis and Ilo Smith, (L to R): Cevilla, Gurtha, Avis, Ilo, and John Bernard. Names were written on the back of the photo.
  		Smith, Avis Augusta ca 1920's Avis Smith, sometime prior to her marriage to Ben Benkelman
  		Smith, Avis ca 1923 Wife of Ben Benkelman B. 1901 Michigan D. 1981 Florida This is the photo from the Michigan State University 1923 Annual
  		Benkelman, Benjamin F. Sr. ca 1920's with his children and their spouses Back Row, L to R: Wilmot "Bill" Carpenter, Ben Benkelman, Sr., Ben Benkelman, Jr., Jim Pease, Minnie Benkelman, Eustace Ball, Harold Benkelman in the late 1920's. Front Row, L to R: Mae Benkelman Carpenter, Lois Benkelman Pease, Ruth Benkelman Ball, Isabel Fletcher Benkelman, Avis Smith Benkelman
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1933, being held by her Mother Newborn Bonnie Benkelman, being held by her mother, Avis Smith Benkelman, in Cass City, Michigan, December 1933
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		Elliott, Ida Alice with her daughters and granddaughter ca 1938 From left to right: Ilo Smith, Bonnie Benkelman (granddaughter), Ida Elliott Smith, and Avis Smith Benkelman. Appears to have been taken in Grand Ledge, Michigan.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		Jesse, Minnie ca 1960, with her childrens' spouses on her 95th birthday Minnie Jesse Benkelman, celebrating her 95th birthday, posed with the spouses of her children Standing, l to r: Eustace Ball, Avis Benkelman, Bill Carpenter Seated: Isabel Benkelman, Minnie
  		Benkelman, Benjamin Franklin Jr. ca 1976 with wife Avis (nee Smith) Ben and Avis ready to depart on a Cruise in celebration of their Golden Wedding anniversary, 1976

  
  

  Documents » Slide Show		Smith, Avis Augusta Certified Copy of Record of Birth, Ionia County, Michigan, issued 6 July 1944
  		Smith, Avis Augusta Bible Records, p 1 of 4 Presentation page of Avis Smith's family bible, presented to her by her parents on Christmas Day, 1920, a few months before her 19th birthday. The bible was published by National Bible Press in Philadelphia, PA, and was a Red Letter Art Edition, King James Version. No publication date was indicated. Only the pages relating to her parents, births and marriages were completed. Deaths were not entered.
  		Smith, Avis Augusta Bible Records, p 3 of 4 Children's names, listing Avis and her sister, Ila
  		Grand Ledge, Michigan High School Avis and Ilo Smith were both graduates of Grand Ledge High School, which was located just a few blocks from their home
  		Michigan State University Yearbook This is a copy of page 57 from the 1923 Michigan State University Yearbook, the Wolverine, showing Avis Augusta Smith and some classmates. Other individuals pictured are Charlotte Blanche Siebert, Earl Adam Sindecuse, Henry Franklin Small, Harry George Smith, Colonel Francis Snyder, Margaret Elizabeth Snyder, Carl Walter Soderbeck, John Franklin Spalding, and Robert Dugan Spencer.
  		Smith, Avis Augusta 1925 Employment offer from Central Junior High, Saginaw, Michigan, to Avis Smith from W. W. Warner, Superintendent
  		Smith, Avis Augusta Teacher's Contract, Saginaw, Michigan, 1926-1927
  		Smith, Avis Augusta (Mrs. Ben Benkelman Jr) Teacher's Contract, Saginaw, Michigan, 1927-1928
  		Smith, Avis Augusta (Mrs. Ben Benkelman Jr) Acceptance of Resignation by the Saginaw Board of Education
  		Sandham, John Insurance Policy Ben and Avis purchased this insurance policy from John A. Sandham, an agent for Lincoln Life Insurance, in 1932
  		Smith, Avis Augusta (Mrs. Ben Benkelman Jr.) State of Floria, Certificate of Death

  
  

  Headstones

  Benkelman, Benjamin, Jr. and Avis (Smith)

  
  

• Sources

  [S383] State of Michigan, Record of Birth. [S81] Family Register, The Holy Bible, National Bible Press, Philadelphia, Pa. Presented to Avis Smith by her parents, December 25, 1920. [S149] Bennett, Lavonne (lib@iserv.net)-Ionia County, Mich. Genealogist and Researcher, Supplied by LaVonne Bennett (Reliability: 3). [S38] State of Michigan, Marriage License, (Eaton County, Mich Marriage License of Ben F. Benkelman Jr to Avis A. Smith, No. 155).