Lucille Smith

Lucille Dirden was born on July 28, 1924, in El Dorado, Arkansas to the proud parents, Hessie and Katie Dirden, one of three children. According to Lucille, she lived a wonderful childhood. After graduating at age 19 from Washington High School in El Dorado, Arkansas, Lucille was tasked with traveling with her first cousin Mary Ester Buckner, by train, to San Francisco, California.

Lucille was expected to return home to attend Grambling State University. When her mother came to take her back for college, Lucille asked her mother if it would be ok for her to stay in California and get married to Sam Smith, who she had met during her visit. Her mother responded with, “You don’t need an education if you are going to get married.” Lucille and Sam married on November 15, 1947. Once Sam started working for Ford Motor Company, they moved in 1955 from Richmond, California to San Jose, California, purchasing their first house. They joined the Antioch Baptist Church as their new church home.

Lucille was blessed to share a marriage of over 30 years with Sam in their home until Sam’s death in 1983. After Sam died, Lucille was forced to relocate to a new house because of the expansion of the San Jose airport and had to deal with the gradual loss of her vision, but she faced her challenges by trusting God and keeping the Word close to her heart.

Her favorite scripture was: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” – Psalms 23:6

Lucille Smith was a member of Antioch Baptist Church for over 70 years, during which time she participated in the Adult Choir, Sunday School, American Baptist Women, Senior Bible Study Outreach Ministry, MLK/CWW Scholarship Program, Noon Day prayer, Mothers Board, and in community programs, such as Red Hatters, Ford Motor Company Ladies Auxiliary and the Blind Center in Palo Alto. Preceding her in death, her husband, Sam L. Smith, her parents, five brothers (Joe, Jay Lee, Hessie Lee, Jimmie Lee, and Robert Lee), and one half-sister Earnestine.

Lucille leaves to cherish her memory: half-sister, Annie Pearl Goodlow of Carson, California, three godchildren (Marilyn Renee Francis, Yvonne Owens, and Robert Adam Jr.), a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, her Antioch Baptist Church family, and friends both near and far.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Antioch Baptist Church Senior Ministry, 268 East Julian Street, San Jose, CA 95112