​     Minnie Mae Valentine, was a selfless soul. She was a woman whose life was defined not by the hardships she endured, but by the love, strength, and compassion she gave to others. Throughout her life, she became a source of comfort, encouragement, a safe place and stability for those around her. She raised me, my siblings and countless others with everything she had. She made sacrifices, she fought past her pain to strengthen others, she had an unwavering faith and commitment to family, and a love that asked for nothing in return. She didn't do it for recognition. However, her resilience, kindness, and generous spirit left a lasting impact on generations of family members and friends, reminding us that one person's love can change the course of another person's life.​​

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​​​     The Minnie Mae Valentine Smylez Legacy Scholarship was created to honor her extraordinary legacy by reaching forward and investing in students who have been raised by grandparents or other close family caregivers. It celebrates the same resilience, perseverance, and hope that Minnie Mae embodied every day.

Her legacy lives on—not only through the memories she left behind, but through every student who is encouraged to pursue their dreams because someone showed up and believed in them.