Lula Mae, or Til as her four younger brothers called her, was born in Louisville, Kentucky on October 8, 1929 to Goldie Pope Thomas and Robert Thomas. Growing up in The Bottoms, she graduated from Central High School, riding the bus along with her best friend to her prom in 1948. She worked 34 years in Food & Nutrition Services for the Jefferson County Board of Education, retiring in 1991 as a high school cafeteria manager. At her retirement dinner she was presented a framed congratulatory letter from President George H.W. Bush.

Pre-deceased by her loving husband, James M. Smith (Smitty) who died in 2005, she’s survived by daughters Sharon Mapp (Isaiah) and Patricia Huskey (Henry); son William Earl Smith (Peggy); grandsons Donnie, Lee, Mitchell, Eric, and Marvin; granddaughters Mica, Brandy, Christia, Candice, Ciceily, and Jeanette, and Cherie. Her great-grandchildren, who called her Great Nana, are Anthony, Niyah, Donavon, Dontae, Brooklyn, Ariel, Christian, Cameron, Ajai, Amare, Zakiya, Zehyria, and Jalyn. She’s also survived by brothers Wilbur Berry, and Lawrence Berry (Wilma); sister-in-law Dorothy Smith Robinson; and multiple nieces and nephews.


She adored the soaps and Dr Phil. She and her grandson Donnie would call each other after every episode to talk plot intrigues of her favorite shows like Scandal, Prison Break, and How to Get Away With Murder. She was a Survivor fanatic and waited restlessly for the next hour counted down on her absolute favorite, 24. Waiting until her late 70’s to see a bit of the world, she saw The Color Purple on Broadway and collected seashells at dawn in Myrtle Beach, getting her feet wet in the first ocean she’d ever seen. She cruised to the Bahamas and walked on the beach in a black bathing suit (with cover-up). She first experienced Las Vegas on her 80th birthday.

Lula Mae Smith was so loved by her family, her neighbors, her friends. She leaves us rich, with a legacy of unconditional love. She was the sweetest.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 1:00pm at Louisville Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 4400 Dixie Highway. Visitation will be Thursday from 11:00 am until time of service.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the American Heart Association, 240 Whittington Parkway, Louisville, KY 40222. (502-587-8641)

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