Clarissa West Smith (1859-1930)

Born to George A. Smith and his wife Susan E. West, Clarissa West Smith was the first Relief Society General President to be born in Utah. She was born 21 April 1859 in Salt Lake City. In 1877 Clarissa married William N. Williams and the two would eventually have 11 children together. At the University of Deseret she earned a teaching certificate and opened a school in Parowan, Utah. Clarissa started her work in Relief Society leadership in 1901, eventually becoming the General President in 1921. She served until her health started to fail and was released in 1928. She died a few years later, on 8 March 1930, at Salt Lake City.