Lily May Smith

Lily May Smith (known to family and friends as Lily) was born to Raymond Smith and Mettie Purdie Smith on April 26,1929 in Wilson County, North Carolina. After a few years in North Carolina Lily moved to Newark, New Jersey with her parents, her older Sister Anna and her Mother's Sister Esther.
Lily was educated in Newark Public Schools graduating from Central High School. Lily pursued several jobs working at Western Electric and the Local Laundry until attending Essex County's Nursing School, where she graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Lily was married to Rolfe William Smith and became the proud Mother of Rolfe Raymond Smith and Gregory Talton Smith.
Lily worked as Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for over 40 years at the famous Presbyterian Hospital on 9th Avenue in Newark.
Lily was Baptized at the Calvary Baptist Church East Orange under former Pastor Long. She served diligently as a Church usher in the Young Lady Ushers for thirty plus years. Lily was a thoughtful and regular church attending member of the Calvary Baptist Church.
Lily loved bright spring colors, flowers, and jewelry. She was God centered and loved her family. Lily is best known in the family for her delicious sweet potato pies and amazing spaghetti and meatballs.
Lily loved to go out and travel. In her years on this side of Zion she traveled to London, England, the Canary Islands, Barbados, Hawaii, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and she made annual trips to the Poconos with her sisters and fellow nurses.
Lily counted Dorothy Ruff(deceased), George Wertz(deceased) and Samuel McCrae (deceased) as close friends. Lily received kindness and compassion from Deacons Newsome and Adorinto and other Calvary Deacons who regularly gave her communion.
When the family homes on South 13th Street in Newark were sold, Lily moved to Senior Citizens apartments on Prospect Street in East Orange. When a sudden illness interfered with her daily activities, Lily moved the Arbor Glen Nursing and Rehabilitation facility in Cedar Grove, New Jersey.
In the late evening of April 30, 2025, Lily quietly went home to meet our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ having celebrated her 96th Birthday on April 26.
Lily is preceded in Death by her parents, Raymond and Mettie Smith, her Sisters Ann Smith Brown and Laverne Thorne; her brother Wallace Smith Sr.; husband Rolfe, her Aunts and Uncles, her son Gregory, his wife Brenda; Brothers in law, Jay Cee and Oliver, niece Gwendolyn and Nephew in law Crispin.
Lily leaves to mourn her passing her oldest Son Rolfe Raymond Smith ( Anita) Grandson Michael( Sarah) former daughter in law Barbara, Grand-daughters Michele,Sherren and Natasha, Grandson Gregory Jr.; Nieces Rev. Deborah Davall(Kenny), Rev. Renee Brown-Johnson, Dianna Davis son T.J.; nephew Wallace Smith, Jr.(wife and sons) and a host of family in Detroit, Dallas, Maryland and North Carolina and many church family and friends at Calvary Baptist Church, East Orange.