Lillian Simpson Smith

Lil was born March 26, 1924, to Faye Adams and Denver C. Simpson in Harrison County, Ohio. She graduated from Cadiz High School and Carnegie Mellon University, where she also obtained a teaching certificate. She worked as a secretary and then teacher of typing, shorthand, and bookkeeping at various schools throughout her life, including Marlboro, Glenwood, and Glen Oak high schools in the Canton area. She married her high school sweetheart Samuel Pearce Smith after he had returned from military service in Italy during World War II. Sam became a speech therapist in the Canton Schools, and they settled in Canton and then built a home in North Canton in 1964.

Lil and Sam were members of Faith United Methodist Church, where Lil volunteered as a driver and soup kitchen worker until aged 97. The couple also tutored recent immigrants to help them improve their English skills, and enjoyed golf in their spare time. After Sam’s passing Lil continued to live independently, drive everywhere, and exercise at least three times a week at the North Canton YMCA. When she was 97 Lil slipped on the ice bringing in the garbage cans and broke her hip. Since that time, she has resided at Sanctuary Grande, where she was appreciated and known for “walking” her wheelchair all around out of doors to enjoy the sunshine. She enjoyed regular visits by local friends and relatives, and a 100th birthday party attended by over fifty people, including neighborhood, YMCA, and Faith Methodist friends, as well as five nieces and nephews.

Lil is survived by her two children, Linda Faye Smith (Lee Shuster) of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Suzanne Kay Wrigley (Jeff) of Arizona, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and many former students.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Sam, and her two sisters Elizabeth (Betty) Anthony Brendel and Margaret (Peggy) Booth.

A memorial service will be held Saturday June 7, time TBA, at Faith United Methodist Church in North Canton. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the North Canton YMCA or Faith United Methodist Church.