Henrietta S. Tripp

Henrietta Smith Tripp was born on December 14, 1935, in Marion Junction, Alabama, to the late Reverend Tom
Smith and Willie Ann Smith.
At an early age, she confessed Christ and became a lifelong member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Marion
Junction. She attended Gary Elementary School, Mud Hall, Cross and Lincoln Elementary in Marion, graduating
from high school in 1955 from the Dallas County School System. Later, she would worship with the More Than
Conquerors Baptist Church under Pastor Steve Green, Guiding Light Baptist Church under Pastor J.L. Lowe, Jr.,
where for many years she was a Sunday school teacher of the Golden Light Women’s Class. Lastly, she would join
the New Salem Baptist Church under Pastor Ronald Calhoun where she completed her journey.
Henrietta established Birmingham as her primary residence and began building an accomplished career with the city,
in the educational field, and within the community.
Early on she traveled and modeled a short stint with the E Modeling Agency, attended Cosmetology School,
acquiring a license because she loved to do hair. Henrietta did hair while attending Lawson State Community
College. In 1966 she became the first Black person hired within the Traffic Citation Recorder Court Department with
the Birmingham City Hall. She worked extensively with the first Black mayor of the city of Birmingham, the Former
Mayor Richard Arrington, Jr. Henrietta was visionary and founder of the Almighty “EYES” & Youth Drug Awareness
Program, organized in 1981, where she worked diligently in service with the ACIPCO-Finley Community for over 30
years. She also formed the ACIPCO-Finley’s first Neighborhood Youth Association. She served in the capacities of
neighborhood president and Northern Area Block Watch secretary for many years. Henrietta also had a television
ministry, broadcasted on TBS channel 10. She was a disciplinarian, student counselor and advisor in education,
ending her esteemed career with the Fultondale High School. She remains a well-known figure in the ACIPCO-Finley
Community.
Above all her many accolades, Henrietta was a minister and strong woman of God. She had an unyielding faith and
relationship with God and is a mighty woman of prayer!
This Woman of God is preceded in death by her loving husband, Mr. Leon Tripp of 26 years, not even seven months
ago and within a week of each other, her youngest sibling Roosevelt Smith, and beloved sister Elizabeth Smith Brent,
along with seven brothers, four sisters, with one living sister, Mrs. Mary Walker of Selma, AL, a dedicated niece, who
tirelessly cared for her and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces/nephews, great-great nieces/nephews, other
cherished relatives and friends.

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