Dr. Valerian E. Smith, D.D.S.

"Dr. Valerian E. Smith was born in Charleston, West Virginia.  He attended public schools in his home town and earned both his undergraduate and professional degrees at Howard University, Washington, D.C.  He located and opened his dental practice in South Baton Rouge more than four decades ago.  Typically, for him, he provided low cost and no cost services to many indigent persons in the community.  He acquired the love of music from his parents and his avocation as a musician and playwright played a significant role in his life.  He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and toured with a musical group both overseas and in the U.S.  He authored countless musical compositions, wrote, directed and produced stage productions and musicals.  Notable among these are Changes, Supper, Awake, Black Vuai, Tribulations (a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) and a musical fable for children’s theater, A Cat’s Tale.  He founded the musical, theatrical performing group, the Baton Rouge Community Chorus.  It was a rare season when he was not presenting one of his lively productions somewhere in the community, if not in Washington or some place else in the country.  He was also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Dr. Valerian Smith died Nov. 19, 1992 in Baton Rouge.  He is survived by three daughters, Lynn Smith Whitfield, Kimberlegh Butler-Smith, and Shawne Smith Langston; a son, Valerian Butler-Smith II; and former wife, Valeria Jean Butler."

Source:  “The First Annual South Baton Rouge Black History Recognition Program”- Author – Ms. Helen Turner Rutledge, February 27, 1993 and The Advocate Newspaper - Obituary November 24, 1992