My Song of Songs

This book portrays 58 years in the life of Major Maurice Smith, son of black pioneer Salvation Army officers , as a single, married, and finally, as a single-parent officer in The Salvation Army. The book is divided into seven sections: the first three sections deals with (1) living in Memphis during segregation (1948-1960); (2) Living in Washington, D. C. during the civil rights struggle (1960-1968); and (3) at the Salvation Army School for Officer Training in Atlanta (1966-1968). The next four sections are tied to his life as a Salvation Army officer in the four Salvation Army territories in the USA: (4) In the South (1968-1973); (5) the West (1973-1978); (6) the Central with my engagement and marriage (1978-1985); and (7) in the East. The story is told in an unusual way: it is told through songs he remembered and how it affected him along his journey.

Major Maurice E. Smith (Retired) served in The Salvation Army for more than 40 years as an active Salvation Army officer. Commissioned and ordained in 1968, he was the first African American trained in the School for Officer Training in Atlanta, Georgia. His ministry has taken him to all four territories in the USA where he had many challenging opportunities of service including re-opening a center in Compton, California; re-opening a Boys Club in Charlotte, North Carolina; pastoring a number of Salvation Army corps-community centers in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and New York. Major Maurice Smith was born in Washington, D.C. to Salvation Army officer parents. His parents were pioneers in implementing the work of The Salvation Army among African-Americans in Memphis Tennessee (1948). He and his dad were known as vocal soloists in the Salvation Army and they played brass instruments. Major Maurice attended the District of Columbia Teachers College (now part of the University of the District of Columbia) for a few years before entering the Officers' training school. Major Smith married the late Captain Ana Flores Smith in 1979. They had two children. Major Maurice Smith retired from active service in 2011. He continued to work in post retirement service at the Salvation Army's School for Officer Training in Atlanta for six years. He is now retired and lives in Atlanta, Georgia. He now enjoys his time with his grandchildren, reading (history), enjoying music, and gardening. He also enjoys traveling.