Lydia Webb Smith

Lydia Webb Smith, age 62, of Tuscaloosa, passed away Monday, January 18, 2016, at home. She was born February 19, 1953, in Cullman, Ala. to William Dwight, Sr. and Gladys Moore Webb.Mrs. Smith was a 1971 graduate of Cullman High School. She graduated from the University of North Alabama in 1975 with a double major in English and History. Lydia later received a Master's in American Studies from the University of Alabama.After graduating college, Lydia was working as a reporter with The Community News, in Sumiton, Ala. One day she saw a news article with a picture of Eddie Smith. Many times she would say that her first impression was, "I'm going to marry that man." As fate would have it, Lydia was given an assignment to write an article on 'The Bicentennial.' Through this she met and married Eddie Smith on August 15, 1976.Eddie and Lydia lived in Adamsville, Ala. for eight years, then to Homewood. In 1985, they moved to Tuscaloosa, Ala.They attended South Highlands Baptist Church, Skyland Boulevard Baptist and Circlewood Baptist. Her husband, Brother Eddie, pastored Unity Baptist. After many years going to church, Sunday morning January 5, 2014, Lydia made a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord, at Seventh Street Baptist in Cullman, Ala. The next Sunday, the church gave Brother Eddie a blessing of baptizing his wife, Lydia. Lydia worked at the University of Alabama for 20 years. She was a very gifted writer and was published in many publications, including Open Windows devotional magazine. Mrs. Smith was also very creative. She enjoyed making handmade gifts, such as shadow boxes which she made for numerous family members, including each of her grandchildren. She was a very sweet, loving and caring sister, wife, mother and grandmother.She was preceded in death by her parents.Survivors include her husband, Eddie Smith; three daughters, Summer Smith Gragg, Dixie and Melanie Smith; four grandchildren, Wesley Smith (who she referred to as "the boy I never had"), Estella Smith, Marina and Saylor Gragg; three sisters, Glenna Lambert (Johnny), Sharon Pickett (Mike) and Carol Dahl; one brother, Dwight Webb, Jr.; a host of nephews and nieces; numerous other family members; and friends. Visitation will be, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., tonight, January 20, 2016 at Memory Chapel Funeral Home on Skyland Boulevard in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Funeral Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, January 21, 2016 at Adamsville Baptist Church in Adamsville, Ala. with Chaplain Eddie Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Midway Cemetery with Memory Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations directing. Mrs. Smith will lie in state, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., at the church.Memory Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider, is in charge of arrangements.In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to please remember your pastor's wife. We recommend calling her, sending her a note, take her out to eat, give her a gift and/or tell her that you love and appreciate her.