Milton Ellison Smith was born June 20, 1935, in Lexington, Miss. He was the seventh of nine children born to the union of the late Roosevelt Sr. and Limmie Emma Smith. He was the last survivor of eight siblings, being preceded in death by seven brothers – Morris, Frank, Luther, Arthur, Roosevelt Jr., Lee Ellison, Lindholm, and one sister, Limmie Emma Scott.

Milton accepted Christ and was baptized at Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Frank Bowels. He completed his primary and secondary education in Lexington, graduating from Mt. Olive High School in 1955 as Valedictorian.

In 1955, Milton enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served his country on bases in the United States and Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1962. He returned home to Lexington briefly before moving to Chicago, where he became a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Wilbur N. Daniels. While there he was a member of the Young Adults Sunday School Department, under the leadership of his brother, Rev. Morris H. Smith; the Baptist Training Union, and the Young Adult Choir.

Milton enrolled at Woodrow Wilson Junior College (now Kennedy-King Community College), where he was awarded an Associate of Arts degree. He enrolled at the University of Illinois in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice.

He was employed with the Chicago Board of Education as an English teacher and taught that subject for several years.Then he was employed with the Illinois Department of Job Services and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.He accepted employment with the Unites States Postal Service from which he retired after 19 ½ years of service.

He moved to Country Club Hills, Ill., in 1996, where he united with Bethlehem Temple Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Dr. J.C. Smith. While there he became a member of the Adult Sunday School Class No. 1, the Brotherhood Union and the Gospel Choir.

On March 4, 2019, Milton’s Lord and Savior Jesus Christ took him away from his earthly home into his heavenly home. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Ms. Ister Smith of Country Club Hills, Ill.; one daughter, Felicia Oliver, of Chicago; one step daughter, Evaster (Ann) Nobles of Chicago; two special nieces—Valerie Berry of Harvey, Ill., and LaTangia Burgos (Alexandro Jr.) of New Lenox, Ill.; two special nephews—Darryl T. Scott of Harvey, Ill., and Gregory Jarvis Jr. of Joliet, Ill.; a special granddaughter, Mesha McCarthy of Chicago; and a host of other nieces, nephews, grandchildren, in-laws, cousins and friends.