Mattilon Smith Vanderhorst

Mattilon Smith Vanderhorst was born on July 18, 1938, in Crenshaw, Mississippi, to the late James Parnell and Mattie Mae Fair. She entered into eternal life on October 5, 2025, at the age of 87, continuing her spiritual journey. A resident of Oakland, California, she loved spending time with her daughter, grandson, and close family and friends.

Mattilon received her early education in Crenshaw, Mississippi, and later moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she attended Sumner High School—the first high school for African American students west of the Mississippi River, named in honor of politician and abolitionist Charles Sumner. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Colorado Denver and a Master’s Degree from San Jose State University. Education was deeply important to her; she believed it was the key to personal growth, success, and social development, empowering individuals to achieve stability and purpose in life.

Mattilon married William “Bill” Smith of Omaha, Nebraska, and two children were born to this union: Bryan Kevin Smith and Shanna Yvette Smith. She later married Leroy “Van” Vanderhorst, who shared her passion for life, travel, and service. They enjoyed many happy years together before his transition to eternal life. She delighted in good food, cooking with her grandson Taariq, capturing life’s moments and the beauty of nature through photography, tending her garden, spending time by the ocean, and listening to jazz, reggae, and calypso music.

Her professional career began as a Social Worker with the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) Program, a historic federal initiative in the 1970s and early 1980s that provided job training and employment opportunities for those with low income or long-term unemployment. The program’s mission of service and empowerment reflected Mattilon’s own core values. She later worked as an Employment Counselor for Santa Clara County’s Social Services Department until her retirement in 2000.

Mattilon served as a Foster Parent for eight years, opening her home to teenage youth with the goal of family reunification through the Bill Wilson Center. Among her proudest accomplishments was writing a funding proposal for the San Jose Apartments, a community initiative. As a staff member on the City of San Jose’s Health & Social Task Force, she helped address unmet needs within the community.

Her dedication to children and families continued through her service on the Board of Directors for the San Juan Bautista Child Development Centers (2004–2022), whose mission is to provide high-quality learning environments and support for families throughout Santa Clara County. She also volunteered at Oak Grove High School as a Noon Aide, helping to ensure a safe and positive environment for students and with the Caribbean Tourism Organization promoting sustainable tourism to the islands.

Seeking spiritual growth, Mattilon studied at the Center for Spiritual Living in San Jose, California. Through her studies, she discovered her calling and became a Religious Science Practitioner (RScP) Emeritus. Even in retirement, she continued to serve her community through spiritual guidance, offering counseling in prosperity and health.

She was an active member of the Red Hat Society, Garden City Women’s Club, NAACP, and AACSA. Mattilon believed in being a good steward and citizen of the world, recognizing the shared humanity and interconnectedness of all people. She worked to foster empathy, compassion, and justice—especially advocating for children, who were her lifelong passion.

Raised by her beloved grandmother, and two aunts Lilian and Freddie, Mattilon often spoke fondly of their influence and the love they shared. She cherished her connections to St. Louis, Memphis, and Denver—her “homes away from home.”

Mattilon is reunited in spirit with her parents and siblings, her husband Leroy “Van” Vanderhorst, and her son Bryan Kevin Smith. She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted daughter, Shanna Yvette Smith, and beloved grandson, Taariq Smith of Oakland, California; bonus son, Damon Andre Vanderhorst, of Los Angeles, California, and his two daughters; brothers, James “Jimmy” Parnell, Jr. of Inglewood, California, Harvey Parnell of Las Vegas, Nevada and McArthur “Mac” Roberts of Memphis, Tennessee.

She leaves a legacy of love in the hearts of cherished friends and chosen sisters Bathsheba Smith, Dottie Thornhill, Othree Burroughs, and Sheila Stevens; “adopted” daughters Fatime Locke and Lisa Arnette; goddaughters Sharla Stevens, Stephanie Wilkins, and Wendy Winston; special chosen nieces Desia Lanae Peace and Angela Lofton; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all whose lives she touched.