Mrs. Lillie Marie Smith

In Loving Memory Of On May 28, 1940, Lillie Marie Smith was born to the union of Lillie Goode and James Walker Nash in Pickens, Mississippi. Her parents preceded her in death. She was baptized in the Catholic Church at an early age. Marie’s early education was in Picking, MS and later Pershing High School in Detroit, Michigan. She was an adventurous kid who always kept her grandmother busy trying to keep her in line. Prior to relocating to Michigan, she had her first son, Anthony Nash – who preceded her in death in 2020. Marie was married to the love of her life, Bennie C. Smith, Jr. (Preacher) for 49 years. Through their love, they were the foundation of a combined family and responsible for countless holidays and family gatherings. They raised their first adopted son, Tony Reynolds Smith, and in 2000 welcomed their second, Larry Smith. Preacher and Marie were devoted to their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Marie loved her home on Rutland that was a home to so many for over 40 years. She was constantly improving or redecorating, planning get-togethers, barbeques, and card parties. She believed in buying quality and would tolerate “nothing cheap!” To this day, her attention to quality shines even now when you look at her home. When not beautifying her home, she loved to fish, travel, and come up with home improvement projects. From adding a bedroom addition, to building ponds, and completely remodeling the entire house. You just never really knew what Marie was planning, but you knew once it was complete, it would be amazing! Marie lost one of her legs after a triple bypass surgery, something that would have stopped most people did not affect her at all! For the next 12 years after surgery, she was always active around her home, still coming up with projects (of course with the help of her devoted son Larry). Just last month, she had Larry and Sean pulling up the carpet for her next project; she just ran out of time. Marie and Preacher had a devoted marriage for over 45 years, which was sadly brought to an end by cancer. But, as we all know Marie, she took great care of her husband until his last breath. She was quite the comedian and an excellent storyteller and would definitely let you know when you were wrong! Though not a woman to bite her tongue, she always believed in loving and supporting her husband and family.

Mrs. Lillie Marie Smith

May 28, 1940 - September 23, 2022