| Graduation Year | Class of 1948 |
| Date of Birth | Oct 05, 1930 |
| Date of Passing | Aug 23, 2026 |
| About | Sally Riggs Stevens Smith lived a life of adventure, curiosity, faith, and conviction. She was a mother, grandmother, pastor, friend, reader, storyteller, and devoted lover of dogs. Her journey took her from California to Connecticut, Hawaii to France, and ultimately to the ministry, where she found one of the great callings of her life. Born in Oakland, California, on October 5, 1930, Sally grew up in Darien, Connecticut. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1952 with a degree in Biblical History, Literature, and Interpretation. Her curiosity about the world led her to embrace new places and cultures, including her time living in Hawaii and Orléans, France with her first husband, Everett Eaton Jr. and gave her the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, Egypt, and the Holy Land. Her greatest journey, however, was the one that led her into ministry. For much of her early life, Sally had never known a woman minister. The women's movement of the 1960s and 1970s broadened her understanding of what was possible. As she later wrote, “It took the insights of feminism for me to realize that my gender need not bar me from following the call of God.” Sally earned her Master of Arts from the Pacific School of Religion, was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1970, and received her Doctor of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1981. She served congregations throughout California and was especially proud to serve alongside her beloved second husband, the Rev. Walter Smith, as co-pastor at Niles Congregational UCC in Fremont. In 1990, she was recognized as one of the Outstanding Clergywomen of the Northern California/Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ. After retirement, Sally and Walter settled in Sonora, where she filled her life with family, friends, writing, book clubs, and beloved dogs. In 2007, she self-published her memoir, To Go Out Not Knowing, capturing stories from her varied and remarkable life. Sally was preceded in death by Walter and her daughter, Jennifer “Jenny” Tillotson. She is survived by her sister, Phyllis Endicott (Ed); her daughters, Margaret Clovis and Amy Eaton; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and Abby, her beloved dog and constant companion. Sally will be remembered for her fierce commitment to justice, love of spirited conversation, curiosity about others, and abiding faith. She passed away in Salinas, California, on August 23, 2026, at the age of 95. She will be deeply missed. |
