A higher purpose in life
Maj. Sharon Ann Smith was the first Black female helicopter pilot for Memphis Police Department.
Maj. Sharon Ann Smith, the first Black female helicopter pilot of the Memphis Police Department, believed she had a higher purpose in life — figuratively and literally.
“I feel that we are here on earth to make a difference,” she said in 1997, as quoted in The University of Memphis Magazine. “If I can touch someone’s life and know I am making a difference, then maybe that person will touch someone else’s life. If that happens, I have done something worthwhile.”
Smith, who earned two degrees and her pilot’s licence while working full-time at the Memphis Police Department for 28 years, died at home July 12. She was 62.
After graduating from Memphis Technical High School in 1976, Smith joined MPD in 1979. While working at MPD — she was in the sex crimes unit for much of her career — Smith earned an undergraduate degree in political science from then-memphis State in 1983 and a master’s degree in teacher education from Lemoyne-owen College in 1995.
Her only son, Jan-michael Smith, who works for Fedex Logistics, said his mother was a “strong woman” and a “good woman” who learned early in life that nothing was free.
“She tried to show me — I don’t know the way to say it, but I was around 11 or 12 at the time — that you have to put in the work to be able to achieve what you want to achieve,” he said of the reason his mother pushed herself to ever-greater heights.
The crowning moment of her professional career came in 1997, when she became the first — and, to this day, only — Black woman to pilot helicopters for the Memphis police.
“She pretty much showed me that if you want something, you can do it, and pretty much nothing can stop you,” Smith said of his mother.
The media relations team at the Memphis Police Department didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
‘An excellent role model’
After earning her pilot’s license, Smith gave back to the community in various ways, including through the Memphis Blackhawks, an association of Black aviators that aims to educate and inspire inner-city youth. She was a member for several years.
“She was very active in promoting aviation and she had a tremendous effect,” recalled Billy Shannon, the association’s treasurer and former president. “She was an excellent role model for the young men and women in the community. She stood out as a pilot, and, at that time, that was something to look up to.”
Smith was also active in Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, where she was a long-time member. She spoke of her faith to The University of Memphis Magazine: “I feel there is something on the horizon for me, but I’m not sure what it is. I believe everything works for a purpose because God has been with me. Someday, my education and counseling and working with people will all come together where I can ultimately serve in a higher capacity.”
Smith’s funeral service was held Saturday and she was buried Sunday.
In addition to her son, Smith is survived by her mother Wanda Eason; sisters Felecia Dixon (Milton), Terri Erby (Mitchell), Jacqueline Willoughby (Daryl), Johnetta Eason and Nicole Langston; and brothers Latrell Eason and Robert Eason.