Lillian White Smith

Services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 299 Union Hill Drive, Forsyth, GA 31029. Burial in Forsyth City Cemetery, Newton Dr., Forsyth, GA. Service is scheduled to be Streamed Live on our Facebook Page.

Public viewing will be Tuesday, March 10th from 2-6 PM and family visitation from 5-7 PM. Keep the family in prayer.

Lillian White Smith was born on June 24, 1938, in Forsyth, GA to the late Williene and William White, Sr. Lillian was the eldest of seven children in a loving family. Spending her formative years in Monroe County, she was educated in the Monroe County school system and at a young age became a faithful member of Piney Grove Baptist Church and later joined Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Later in life, she would join Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA where she remained a member until her passing.

She embraced the joy of motherhood with the birth of her eldest child, Juanita, and soon expanded her family further when her youngest, Melvin, entered the world. Years later, her "baby girl" Najafi was born promoting her to grandmother and the spoiling began! Lillian moved from Forsyth, GA to metro Atlanta in 1979. Ultimately, she settled into her beloved home in Decatur, GA in 1998 and remained there until her death. In line with her Christian beliefs, Lillian built a career in service to others. After spending many years as a caretaker for the elderly, she retired to a life of leisure in 2015.

Only second to God, Lillian loved traveling, fashion, and red lipstick! In her younger years, she was known to frequently travel to Europe with friends. She loved all things fashion and acquired clothes, shoes, and luxury handbags at home and abroad. Lastly, she did not go many places without her signature red lips!

She was preceded in death by her parents, Williene and William White, Sr., her son, Melvin Shannon, her brother, William White, Jr., and her sister, Bobbie White.

Lillian's legacy lives on in her daughter, Juanita White, and her granddaughter, Najafi White. She is survived by her sisters, Louise Murdaugh, Betty Sharpley, Alberta Love, and her brother, Milton White.