Supporter – Youth Sports
Ella W. Smith, formerly Ella Jean Williams, was born in Lexington, KY, on September 17, 1946, to the late Viola (Williams) White and Thomas Williams. She was the youngest of four children. Her three brothers (James Wiliams, John Dickerson, and Russell Dickerson) preceded her in death. Prior to her passing, Ella was married for 56 years to fellow 2024 LAASHOF Class Member Kenneth T. Smith. Together they have one son, LaMont Smith. Ella was a 1964 graduate of her beloved Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington. She continued her education by becoming a first-generation college graduate of Kentucky State College, where Ella earned her Associate Degree in Nursing in 1970. In 1976, Ella continued her education by earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University. Ella furthered her education by obtaining her Master of Public Affairs Degree, with a focus in personnel management, from Kentucky State University in 1986.
Ella was a pillar in her community. She worked with the youth in Lexington, KY, for more than 46 years. Ella, or “Mrs. Ella,” as she was affectionately known, was an inspirational leader who developed genuine, lifelong relationships with so many youth and young adults in the Lexington community. From a youth sports perspective, Ella served on the Board of Directors for Western Little League Baseball, and she held the position of League President for 10 years. During her tenure as League President, Ella was able to increase player participation and develop a financially feasible means for youth from underserved communities to participate. Being that Ella was a registered nurse, she also served as the head of emergency medical response for the youth baseball league.
Additionally, Ella served in different capacities for Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Parks and Recreation. These roles included both Youth Cheer Supervisor and Head Coach. During her many years of affiliation with youth football and cheer, she played an integral part in the transition of the league moving from Meadowthorpe Park to Martin Luther King (MLK) Park, located in the Winburn neighborhood. At this time, the MLK Park Youth Football and Cheer Programs began to grow exponentially. Over her 32-plus years as Cheer Supervisor and/or Coach, her cheer teams won multiple cheer showcases. Ella’s additional support roles included her participation in the MLK Park Football Booster Club. The booster club was significant for raising money and providing resources for the park to function. Finally, Ella served as the head nurse for both Meadowthorpe and MLK Park Youth Football and Cheer Programs.
Ella was a dedicated member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Lexington, KY. Throughout her lifetime of church membership, she was actively involved in youth programs and served in various officer roles and on committees, statewide and regionally. She was a 1993 charter member of the Zeta Phi Chapter of the Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority. Also, Ella was a 1981 initiate of Kappa Lambda Zeta Graduate Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
