» Remembering Cynthia McCottry-Smith, Avery’s Angel
This post is written by Georgette Mayo, who works at the Avery Research Center for African American as a Processing Archivist.
Cynthia McCottry Smith, affectionally known as “Ms. Cinny,” was an Avery Normal Institute student, Class of 1940. She later taught at Avery and various other schools in the Charleston area. She was devoted to her former school and the archives, small museum, and cultural center it is today, the College of Charleston’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture. Because of her love of angels, we deemed her “Avery’s Angel.” These are a few of my personal reflections.
Ms. Cinny loved coming to the Avery building to visit the team, brightening our day with her smile, humor, and stylish attire. She never came empty handed as she delighted in giving us a small gift, even if it were a piece of wrapped candy. And she loved to share a good joke to make you laugh. During the holiday season, Ms. Cinny would deliver beautiful poinsettia plants for staff to enjoy.
In 2014, Ms. Cinny and Avery’s First Grade Class of 1944 celebrated their 70th anniversary at the Avery building. Several of her former students attended the event, which greatly pleased her. The event closed with a boat ride circling Charleston harbor with Ms. Cinny hosting the festivities while wearing a rhinestone nautical outfit topped with a sailor’s hat!
Always the teacher, Ms. Cinny was available to assist students, and I sent many her way, including my own children! One example of this was during the summer of 2015 when the Avery Research Center hosted a Stanford University undergraduate intern to learn about Avery (both the school and research center), archival processing, and the South Carolina Lowcountry. Our intern desired to gain firsthand knowledge from an “Averyite.” Ms. Cinny gladly volunteered and invited us to her home to relate stories and serve a delicious home- cooked meal. That was Ms. Cinny—always there to help and educate!
A woman of many talents, Ms. Cinny enjoyed creating elegant calligraphy cards and invitations. The members of the various associations she was affiliated with were the happy recipients of them. Ms. Cinny was a proud Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Soror, and a member of the Charleston (SC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, to name a few. She was also a loyal member of the Phillis Wheatley Literary and Social Club, which was established at Avery and recently celebrated 108 years.
I and the Avery staff will truly miss Ms. Cinny; she was that special person who made friends wherever she went. Our Avery Angel has transitioned with a life well lived. Those who remain are all the better for knowing her.