REVEREND LUCIEN BERNARD SMITH, SR.

Reverend Lucien Bernard Smith, Sr. was born on January 24, 1940, in Kansas City, Missouri and placed by God in the loving arms and nurturing care of Katherine and Cornelius Williams.

He attended W.W. Yates, Charles Sumner, Attucks and R.T. Coles. He was a graduate of Manual High and Vocational School, Class of 1959, where he was a member of the Choir and the Marching Band where he played tenor drum.

His Christian walk with God began at the Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ where he served faithfully for over 70 years under the leadership of seven pastors.  During his lifetime tenure, he served as an Altar Boy, Junior Church, Adult Choir, member of the Trustee Board, Director and founder of the Inspirational Gospel Choir in 1976, Sunday School Teacher, Director of the Male Chorus, Assistant Minister of Music and Ministers Board.

In addition, he was a member of the Leviticus Singers, and served along with Bishop James Tindall, Sr., as Business Manager of the Voices of Exodus. He was member of the Valgene Berryhill Singers.  In 1973, Reverend Smith recorded his song “Without God.” 

Always a hard worker, even as a youngster.  He was a Kansas City Call Paper, Paper Boy, he worked in the garment district of Kansas City at Stevie Togs, Mendel’s & Lee’s Dresses, General Mills to name a few.  He helped in caring for his siblings and the household.

In 1963, he met Delores Ann Thomas, of Independence, Missouri.  Later that year, on December 15, they were married.  To this union, five children were born, Larry Eugene, Katherine Louise, Celestine Isabell, Lucien Bernard, Jr., and Sonja Renee.  The marriage was dissolved.

In 1968, he entered the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department Academy, graduating in the Class of 1969.  He served the city as a Police Officer and Recruiter for over 18 years.  After leaving the Police force, he was employed at the Jackson County Courthouse where he retired in 1996 and worked there for several years.  He worked for the Jackson County Family Court, Western Missouri Mental Health Center, St. Mark’s Child Development Center, Lawrence A. Jones Funeral Chapels and City Mortuary.

On July 2, 1978, he married Wilhelmina (Nina) Ballew.  To this union, three children were born:  Andrae Renard, Darren La’Dair and Arian Ramon.  This marriage was dissolved.

Accepting his call into the ministry, he was Licensed to Preach by the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Inc. on July 26, 1985, in Kansas City and Ordained on July 24, 1987, in Chicago, Il at the First Church of Deliverance, Chicago, Illinois.

He was known for visiting those in the hospitals, nursing homes and those who were homebound.

Twenty years after their divorce, Reverend Smith remarried Delores on March 10, 1990.  They remained together for nearly nineteen years, until the Lord called her home on February 1, 2009.

In 1992, Reverend Lucien B. Smith, Sr., was installed as Pastor of Palestine Missionary Baptist Church, Independence, Missouri, the childhood church of his wife, Delores.

Later in 1998, he along with Reverend Alvin Bradford, founded the Love and Peace Tabernacle, Independence, Missouri, which became a member church of the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Inc.  Upon his retirement as Pastor, in 2003 he returned to his beloved Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ, where he remained until God called him home.

Avid Card player, Baseball Fan (especially the former KC Athletics and KC Royals) and as a youth he played the Clarinet.

Favorite Scripture:  Galatians 6:7

Family gatherings will never be the same without him.

Rev. Smith along with his daughters and son Larry, plus grandchildren continued D & S Catering, established by Delores over 41 years ago, until 5 years ago, a tragic car accident did not allow him to operate the business any longer.

Rev. Smith will always be remembered as a hardworking person, for his wit and humor and His Salad Table at the annual Men’s Department Luau and his famous “Potato Salad.”  He loved the Lord and would help anyone in need.   We thank God for allowing him to be a part of our lives.

Reverend Smith was preceded in transition, by his wife Delores Ann Smith, parents, Katherine & Cornelius Williams, Alma Louise and Marvin Smith, father in law, Fred Thomas.  He departed this earth to be with his Heavenly Father on October 5, 2020.

Reverend Smith leaves to cherish his memory and rejoice in his “homegoing” his children, Larry E. Smith (Jennifer), Katherine L. Holmes (James), Celestine I. Williams, Lucien B. Smith, Jr., Sonja R. A. Smith, Andrae R. Smith (Keira), Darren L. Smith, and Arian Smith (Megan), 34 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, brother Charles E. Wilkes, sisters, Louella Elaine Henderson (Michael Hayes), Arwilda “Cookie” Poole (Elder Noah), Sedalia, Missouri, special sister, Shirley Y. Jones, sister in-laws, Betty Chrisman, Kathy Thomas, brother in-laws, Ronald, Jerry and Andrew Thomas, best friend/Brothers; (70 years) Clarence Jackson (Diane), Los Angeles, CA, (64 years) Bishop James D. Tindall, Sr. (Frances), Bishop Otto T. Houston, III, Boynton Beach, FL, friends; Thomas (Keyho) Key, Johnnie Roberts and Merle Pinkney along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends and his beloved Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ family.

Services will be held Sunday, October 11, 2020, 6 pm at Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Jesus Christ, visitation 4 pm. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Independence, Mo. Monday, October 12, 2020 11 am.

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