Lucille Estelle Smith

On January 12, 2026, surrounded by the love and comfort of her daughters and family, our beloved mother passed peacefully into heaven, where she was welcomed by our Lord and Savior and reunited with her twin sister and their parents.

Lucille was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on May 30, 1945, just minutes after her twin sister. She spent most of her life in Albuquerque, where she enjoyed several years living with her sister and brother-in-law. In 2017, she began sharing her time between her daughters and their families in Houston and Phoenix.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred Lewis Harris and Stella Omar Harris; her twin sister, Lou Ellen Plagmann; and her brother-in-law, Rod Plagmann.

She is survived by her daughters, Michelle Poorbaugh (husband Ed) and Joy Jaramillo (husband Dale); her grandchildren, Austin (Nadine), Nolan (Travis), Evan (Lisa), Michael (Gabriela), and Aiden; her great-grandchildren, Nathan and Theo; her nieces, Yvonne Kalcich and Kathleen Childs; and her cousin, Barbara Omar Esch.

Lucille was raised in Albuquerque's North Valley and attended Griegos Elementary School, Taft Junior High School, and graduated from Valley High School. She represented Valley High at Girls State. She was a proud member of VFW Auxiliary Post 401 and previously served as President of the Junior Girls Unit. During her youth, she was a member of St. Therese Catholic Church.

One of her greatest passions was directing the Miss Albuquerque USA and Miss Albuquerque Teen USA pageants. She found great joy in mentoring and preparing young women for success within the Miss USA pageant system, helping them develop confidence, poise, and valuable life skills that extended far beyond the stage.

Lucille's greatest joy and proudest moments were always centered around her family. She was a loving and devoted wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was a strong woman who embodied confidence, kindness, loyalty, and grace, serving as a role model admired by all who knew her. Her generosity and loving spirit touched countless lives. Most of all, her daughters, who believe there is no greater love than a mother's love.

She enjoyed playing bingo, drinking Dr Pepper, celebrating May birthdays, shopping, playing cards and games, family lake trips, and the treasured tradition of making Christmas cookies together. She had a natural talent for home decorating and flower arranging, and especially loved fresh flowers, particularly bougainvillea. She enjoyed collecting Southwest Pottery, Kachinas, and Beanie Babies. Lucille loved country western dancing, listening to Elvis and Patsy Cline, and singing along to her favorite country songs.

Lucille always put others before herself, showing kindness to everyone she met and extending generosity to family, friends, and even strangers. In her later years, as her memory began to fade, she never lost her beautiful smile. She found comfort in jigsaw puzzles and word search books, and her family was truly blessed to care for her during this time. Through that journey, the family learned patience, compassion, and the true meaning of the circle of life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association in her memory.

https://events.alz.org/fundraiser/lucillesmith

Lucille will be interred at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Albuquerque, New Mexico at a graveside service on February 21, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. A celebration of life will follow.

A Message to Mom: This is not goodbye, but until we are reunited again. We look forward to the day we can wrap our arms around one another in heaven and celebrate the most beautiful homecoming. Until then, may you watch over us and bless us each day.