Mary Alice Riggs Smith & Stanley Smith

Mary Alice Riggs Smith was born in Memphis, TN, and was married to Stanley J. Smith of New Orleans, LA. Mrs. Smith attended Lausanne Collegiate School, Duke University, and the University of Memphis for high school, college, and graduate school, respectively. Mr. Smith was a graduate of Christian Brothers High School, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and the University of Memphis. 

In 1966, Mrs. Smith saw the need for a non-graded program specializing in the instruction of children with learning disabilities; thus the Auburndale School was formed, with 12 charter students. Mrs. Smith initiated one of the first educational programs for children with learning disabilities, a program which would evolve into the  PLUS program for both Auburndale and SBA. As the school became known for its excellence in education, a demand grew for a comparable program to accommodate those students who no longer required special academic attention and the regular program was formed in 1970. The school was originally planned to be housed in a church in Midtown on Auburndale Street from which it took its name. Due to a fire at that church, the first classes with a total enrollment of 12 students were held at Shady Grove Presbyterian Church. 

In 1972, plans began to build the Auburndale School in Cordova on a 21 acre site near the Countrywood subdivision.  While waiting for the completion of construction, the school moved to the old Siena College.  With the construction of the first building completed, four grades moved to Cordova for the 1973-1974 school year while four grades remained at Siena College. Mr. Smith joined the Auburndale School full-time in 1973 as the Business Manager. By the 1974-1975 school year, the second building was completed and all 480 students were house in Cordova.  Plans began immediately in the fall of 1974 for two major undertakings; the construction of the Upper School and applications of accreditation by the State Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  Both goals became a reality in 1975 and the Auburndale School was recognized by the Memphis Association of Independent Schools as one of the fastest growing school systems in the area.  The first Auburndale Senior Class graduated in 1976.  A five year old Kindergarten was designed in 1976. In 1978 the Gifted program was established to serve the needs of the academically talented and in 1986 the first four year old kindergarten class enrolled at Auburndale. 

In 1986 Mary Alice Riggs Smith  was honored as the Humanitarian of the Year by the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ) now known as the National Conference for Community and Justice for her leadership role in providing educational opportunities, particularly to economically disadvantaged minorities.   

Due to health issues, after 22 years of service from Mrs. Smith and 15 years from Mr. Smith, the couple sold the school to the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, thus becoming St. Benedict at Auburndale. Both faithful Catholics, Mary Alice Riggs Smith and Stanley J. Smith were instrumental in the Auburndale School becoming St. Benedict at Auburndale. Mrs. Smith died just prior to the official sale of the school. 

The Smiths had six children together: Mary Annette Smith Keating, Stanley J. Smith Jr. (deceased), William Warren Smith, Roy W. Smith, Allison Ann Smith, and Mary Alice Smith. All but Mary Annette graduated from the Auburndale School. Mary Annette, William, and Roy are all former teachers of the Auburndale School. Keeping the family tradition, the Smiths also had seven grandchildren that graduated from St. Benedict at Auburndale: Kristen Keating Spencer ‘02, Lisa Keating Scruggs ‘05, Emily LaForce ‘08, Melanie LaForce Hays ‘10, Daniel LaForce ‘13, Taylor Smith ’08, and Max Smith ‘11. 

Without the Smiths, there would be no St. Benedict at Auburndale.