Lishmae Pringle, 87

Lishmae Pringle of Dover departed this life on Monday, May 7, 2007, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 87.

Mrs. Smith-Pringle was born on Jan. 1, 1920, in Bartow County, Ga., daughter of the late Mozes Smith and Nona Johnson-Smith

Although she received a partial elementary education in Bartow County, she rightfully earned a doctorate in the school of life.

On Aug. 9, 1945, Mrs. Smith-Daniels, a widow whose first marriage produced two sons, Enoch and Nelson, united in holy matrimony with Morris Pringle. Their union was blessed with three children Larry, Agnes and Willie. They were married for 61 years. The love and respect shared between them was unparalleled. In January 2006, Morris preceded her. She continued to mourn and often commented on missing Morris. It would be fair to say that, at best, she died of a broken heart.

She loved, protected and cared very deeply for her family. Amidst the concrete jungle of Brooklyn, N.Y., she was a monarch of a vast empire and wielded a mighty sword when needed. For all who knew her, they can attest to the fact that she didn't take no mess. Within her reign she assumed the role of surrogate mother for many children who were the products of working single mothers and sometimes broken homes. For these children she became the emotional, physical, and financial stability that was needed to facilitate there development into the responsible adults they are today. She was a paramount of knowledge, wisdom and determination, and was the driving force that managed, negotiated and advocated for family, friends and others through difficult times.

She is survived by a sister, Mozzell Smith; three sons, Enoch Daniels of St George, S.C., Larry Pringle of Rosedale, N.Y., Willie Pringle of New York; a daughter, Dr. Agnes M. Richardson of Dover; two nieces, Regina Daniels and Joyce Daniels of Green Valley, N.Y.; grandchildren, Nelson, Lisa, Karen, Trina, Brent, Natalie, Nathan, Chance, Mya; great-grandchildren, Brenda, Felicia, Kimberly, Brandon, Jaiyah, and Anani; a godchild, Tiffany; two daughters-in-law, Vernell Daniels of St. George and Vivian Pringle of Rosedale; and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in Bennie Smith Funeral Home, 717 W. Division St., Dover, where friends may call two hours earlier.

Burial will be in Sharon Hill Memorial Gardens, Dover.