Lillie Mae Smith

In May,1944, at age sixteen, Lillie attended Elkhorn High School in West Virginia. While attending a football game, her classmate, Charles Smith, introduced her to his brother, Henry “Herbert” Smith, age 20, who had just returned from fighting in World War II. It was at that moment that she was "smitten" by his hazel eyes and big smile. They began dating and eventually, became engaged. However, before Lillie said,“Yes”, she asked Herbert if he had enough money to support her! On March 6,1946, they eloped and were married in Tazewell, Virginia. To this union, Herbert B. Smith, Sr. was born on July 28,1947. As young, excited and devoted as Lillie was in her marriage, she was equally dedicated and loving to her Sunday School children, to whom she taught and modeled God's WORD.

In 1953, Henry and Lillie relocated from West Virginia to Detroit, Michigan to bond with their older siblings and to pursue better employment and living opportunities.

After residing approximately a year in Michigan, Henry Herbert knew, for sure, that he was not a Wolverine. In 1954, he and Lillie moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he was employed by The Local 423 Construction Contracting Agency. During his tenure, he and a team of contractors built Riverside Methodist Hospital and other reputable local establishments.

In 1956, during an internal employment recommendation by Lillie’s older sisters, Ethel and Lillian, she entered her career in the Environmental Care Department at White Cross Hospital as a housekeeper for $.65 per hour. In 1961, White Cross was renamed Riverside Methodist Hospital. By 1968, Lillie was officially promoted as Supervisor, keeping her staff in line, training, evaluating and commending them for numerous service awards and promorions during her 34 years of employment until she retired on April 27, 1990.

“I’ll do the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing it until the end". (Abraham Lincoln).

On May 5, 1963, Lillie committed her life in service to God as a member of Macedonia Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. B.L. Brantley. On September 23, 2009, she joined Zion Christian Assembly, where she was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost under Bishop William M. Polley's leadership.

Lillie’s retirement was overwhelmingly fun-packed with a red carpet gala at Riverside, an array of cruises around the world with her husband, gardening, holiday gatherings, family visits to Detroit, Mi., trips to Disney World, adventures with her son, and many celebratory events with her two handsome grandsons. As a "Fashionista", her shopping habits are evidenced by her three closets full of suits, coats, hats, shoes, etc.... She was known for her lavish outfits that were color-coordinated from “head to toe”. This left Mr. Smith with less than 2 feet of closet space! She took pride in scheduling manicures per her husband's delight. She was a classy, elegant woman of her time. “I am a woman who keeps house". (Lillie Mae Smith)

Over the last 2 decades, Lillie was consistent in staying connected with family members via phone calls, birthdays, and sharing memorable family history. However, some of those calls came with stern conversations!

She was most esteemed by a group of Ohio State University students whom she allowed to wear her hats to The OSU Gospel Fest. The hats were so stylish that the Vice President of Student Life, Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, called Mrs. Smith and requested a hat for an upcoming tea party. Everyone talked about those hats for years.

Lillie was predeceased by her parents, Wayman Sr. and Blanch Taylor, her husband, Henry Herbert Smith, her son, Herbert B. Smith Sr., her siblings, Lillian Smith, Ethel Plunkett, Cecil Taylor, Samuel (June) Taylor, and Wayman Taylor, Jr.

She leaves to celebrate her legacy and to cherish her memory, her grandsons, John Lloyd Merchant-Smith, Herbert Burton Smith, II., Daughter in-law, Rose Smith, many nieces, nephews, friends, “Kappa Alpha Psi Grandsons”, and loved ones.