Lucian Smith

Lucian Earl (L.E.) Smith, 92, a longtime resident of Trussville, AL, passed away Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, at Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City, AL.

He was born in Dutton, AL, Sept. 5, 1928, to Europe and Didema Hicks Smith. He graduated from Pisgah High School in 1948 after serving from June 1946 to November 1947 in the U.S. Army Infantry in Korea as a mechanic.

After completing trade school in Gadsden, AL, Lucian was a sheet metal worker/draftsman and shop foreman for more than 50 years at several Birmingham area companies. He helped with design and layout for HVAC systems at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center, Eastwood Mall, Montclair Baptist Medical Center and many other buildings. He was proud to have constructed a metal stud house in Trussville in 1996 which was a dream home for him and his wife, Charlotte, and a place of many happy family gatherings.

Lucian was a member of Deerfoot Baptist Church in Trussville and a former member of South Roebuck Baptist Church. At both churches he enjoyed doing many hands-on projects and making people feel welcome. He was a true jack-of-all-trades and master of many. There were few things he could not fix. He loved gardening, giving away tomatoes, hunting and fishing. He was an avid Crimson Tide fan. He is remembered with delight by little ones for his trick of “pulling” chewing gum sticks from their ears, complete with sound effects.

Lucian was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of 67 years, Charlotte Clark Smith; brothers Charles, Edwin and Nelmon Smith; and an infant son, Stephen Carl Smith.

He is survived by sisters Anita Hancock of Dutton, AL; Melba Goolsby (Eddie) of Henegar, AL; and Rachel Traylor (Darryl) of Deltona, FL; sons Mark D. Smith (Melanie) of Decatur, AL; Timothy E. Smith (Linda) of Trussville; and Matthew R. Smith (Julia) of Madison, AL; nine grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and 12 step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lucian will be missed by the members of the Character Builders Sunday School Class at Deerfoot Baptist. He especially enjoyed the breakfast meetings at Jack’s where he always had his double gravy biscuit. He was a member of Community Grief Support of Homewood, which was very helpful to him.

His family gives special thanks to the staff of Monarch Place in Hanceville, AL, for the love and care during Lucian’s stay. Also, the family thanks the Bill Nichols Home for the care during his brief residence there.

A graveside service will be Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, Trussville. Mask-wearing and social distancing will be required. The Rev. Glenn Sandifer will conduct the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Deerfoot Baptist Church in Trussville.