First black student admitted to SLU dies

ST. LOUIS -- Sylvester Smith, the first black student admitted to Saint Louis University and Missouri's first black school superintendent, has died.

Smith, 90, of the St. Louis County town Florissant, was a school administrator for more than 50 years. He died Tuesday. A cause of death was not released.

Smith was one of five black students enrolled in the university's summer session in 1944. The university said it was the first in any former slave state to admit blacks.

Smith stepped into his first class on "D-Day," June 6. At the time, he was the 30-year-old superintendent of schools in Kinloch, also in St. Louis County, and was principal of Kinloch's high school. The university said he became Missouri's first black school superintendent when he took the job in 1943.

Smith earned his master's degree in educational administration from Saint Louis University in 1947. The Sylvester L. Smith Elementary School in Kinloch is named for him.

"He's definitely one of the main founders of the city," Kinloch Mayor Keith Conway said. "He meant a great deal to the community and to the schools here. He was able to bring a lot to the city as far as helping other African-American teachers come on board."

Smith graduated from Vashon High School in St. Louis and received his bachelor's degree from Lincoln University. In his more than 50 years in school administration, he was absent one-half day.

He served on a number of boards and committees, including the Missouri State Curriculum Advisory Board.

Survivors include two daughters, one brother, one sister and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Archway Memorial Chapel in Hazelwood. Funeral arrangements are pending.