Delores Smith

Delores Ann "Lody" Smith
November 24, 1946 - February 1, 2009
62 years 2 Months 6 Days

Birthplace:   Independence, Missouri

Resided In:   Independence, Missouri

Transition:   Truman Medical Center
Kansas City, Missouri

Service Time:   Saturday
February 7, 2009
11:00 A.M.
Second Baptist Church of Independence
116 East White Oak
Independence, Missouri

Officiating:   Rev. Ray C. Taylor
Pastor
Second Baptist Church of Independence
116 East White Oak
Independence, Missouri

Cemetery:   Woodland Cemetery
Independence Missouri

Obituary

Delores Ann "Lody" Smith, was born on November 24,1946 in Independence, Missouri, to the union of Fred A. and Leona Thomas. She attended Bryant Elementary and William Chrisman High School, in the Independence, Missouri School District.

As a young child, her Christian walk with God began at the Palestine Missionary Baptist Church, Independence, Missouri, where she and her family were members.

Delores met and married Lucien Bernard Smith, Sr., in 1963. To this union, five children; Larry Eugene, Katherine Louise, Celestine Isabelle, Lucien Bernard, Jr., and Sonja Renee, were born.

After her marriage in 1963, she joined the Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ, Kansas City, Missouri, under the leadership of Reverend Henri Lawson. She was a member of the Choir and the Hostess Board.

Delores, as a young woman, with a genuine love for children, decided to open her own Home Day Care. Many children were blessed by the care of this wonderful, beautiful lady.

One of her great passions was cooking, and what an excellent cook she was. Lody worked for the Kansas City School District and as a Manager for several years for Don's World of Beef, located on 'The Landing" in Kansas City, Missouri.

Always the entrepreneur, Lody established "D & S Catering" over thirty years ago, a business in which she operated until four days before her home going. She will be greatly missed by the shut in, elderly, churches, civic and community organizations, and by all the people she "catered to", especially The Raytown Rotary Club and her family. Family gatherings will never be the same without her.

It has been said thaflove is better "the second time around". If this were true, Lody would know. Twenty years after their divorce, Lody remarried the "love of her life", Reverend Lucien B. Smith, Sr., on March 10, 1990.

In 1992, Delores became the "First Lady" of the Palestine Missionary Baptist Church, Independence, Missouri, when her husband, Reverend Lucien B. Smith, Sr., was installed as Pastor and later, when he along with Reverend Al Bradford, founded the Love and Peace Tabernacle. As First Lady, she exemplified the meaning of that role, in word thought and deed. Upon her husband's retirement as Pastor, she returned to Palestine, where she remained a faithful member and was recently ordained to the Mother's Board.

Delores will always be remembered as a hard working person, who was the backbone of her family. She loved the Lord and would help anyone in need. She was a "sweetheart" and loved by everyone who knew her. To know her was to love her. Her sweet, kind, gentle, compassionate, loving, quiet spirit and beautiful smile, will never be forgotten. We thank God for allowing her to be part of our lives.

Delores was preceded in transition, by her mother, Leona Thomas, grand mother, Irene Shepard, three sisters, Gloria Phillips, Cynthia Fenner, Jacqueline Smith, one brother, James Thomas, aunt, Mary Ann Lopez, and mother in law, Katherine G. Williams. She departed this earth to be with the Lord on February 1, 2009, at Truman Medical Center, surrounded by family and friends.

Delores leaves to cherish her memory and rejoice in her "home going"; her husband, Reverend Lucien B. Smith, Sr., two sons, Larry E. Smith, Lucien B. Smith, Jr. (Debbie), three daughters, Katherine L. Dinkins (Terry), Celestine I. Williams, Sonja R. Smith, all of Independence, Missouri; twenty-one grand children, thirteen great-grand children, her devoted father, Fred A. Thomas, four brothers, Freddie Joe Thomas ( Patti), Ronald Thomas (Ane), Jerry Thomas (Margie), Andrew Thomas, two sisters, Betty Chrisman and Kathy Thomas, all of Independence, Missouri, sister in laws, Louella Elaine Henderson, Arwilda "Cookie" Poole (Elder Noah), Sedalia, Missouri, brother in law, Charles Wilks, three step sons, Andrae R. Smith, Darren L. Smith, and Arian R. Smith, special friends, James "Jimmie" King, Jr., who was like a brother and Jim Rodgers, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends and her beloved Palestine Missionary Baptist Church family.

"Need not cry, another Angel has gone to live with her Heavenly Father."