Reverend Lucien Bernard Smith, Sr. was born on January 24, 1940, in Kansas City, Missouri, into the loving family of Katherine and Cornelius Williams.
He pursued his education at several local schools including W.W. Yates, Charles Sumner, Attucks, and R.T. Coles, ultimately graduating from Manual High and Vocational School in 1959, where he participated in the Choir and played tenor drum in the Marching Band.
Reverend Smith's spiritual journey commenced at the Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ, where he dedicated over 70 years of service under the guidance of seven pastors. Throughout his tenure, he took on various roles including Altar Boy, Junior Church leader, Adult Choir member, Trustee Board member, and Sunday School Teacher. He also directed and founded the Inspirational Gospel Choir in 1976, served as Director of the Male Chorus, and held the position of Assistant Minister of Music on the Ministers Board.
In addition to his church activities, he was a member of the Leviticus Singers and worked alongside Bishop James Tindall, Sr. as Business Manager for the Voices of Exodus. Reverend Smith recorded his song “Without God” in 1973.
From a young age, he demonstrated a strong work ethic, contributing to his family as a paperboy for the Kansas City Call and working in the garment district at establishments like Stevie Togs, Mendel’s & Lee’s Dresses, as well as at General Mills.
In 1963, he met Delores Ann Thomas from Independence, Missouri, and they married later that year on December 15. Together, they welcomed five children: Larry Eugene, Katherine Louise, Celestine Isabell, Lucien Bernard, Jr., and Sonja Renee. Their marriage eventually ended in divorce.
Reverend Smith entered the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department Academy in 1968, graduating in 1969. He served as a Police Officer and Recruiter for over 18 years before transitioning to a position at the Jackson County Courthouse, where he retired in 1996. His career also included roles at the Jackson County Family Court, Western Missouri Mental Health Center, St. Mark’s Child Development Center, Lawrence A. Jones Funeral Chapels, and City Mortuary.
He married Wilhelmina (Nina) Ballew on July 2, 1978, and they had three children: Andrae Renard, Darren La’Dair, and Arian Ramon, before their marriage was dissolved.
Responding to his calling, Reverend Smith was Licensed to Preach by the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Inc. on July 26, 1985, in Kansas City, and was subsequently Ordained on July 24, 1987, at the First Church of Deliverance in Chicago, Illinois. He was known for his compassionate visits to hospitals, nursing homes, and the homebound.
Twenty years following their divorce, Reverend Smith remarried Delores on March 10, 1990. They enjoyed nearly nineteen years together until her passing on February 1, 2009.
In 1992, he was installed as Pastor of Palestine Missionary Baptist Church in Independence, Missouri, which was also the childhood church of his wife, Delores. In 1998, he co-founded Love and Peace Tabernacle in Independence, Missouri, which became affiliated with the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Inc. Upon his retirement as Pastor in 2003, he returned to the Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ, where he remained until his passing.
Reverend Smith was known for his enjoyment of card games and baseball, particularly as a fan of the former Kansas City Athletics and the Kansas City Royals. As a youth, he also played the clarinet. His favorite scripture was Galatians 6:7.
Family gatherings are forever changed by his absence. He continued the D & S Catering business, established by Delores over 41 years ago, alongside his daughters, son Larry, and grandchildren until a tragic car accident five years prior to his passing limited his ability to operate the business.
Reverend Smith will be remembered for his hard work, humor, his signature Salad Table at the annual Men’s Department Luau, and his renowned “Potato Salad.” He had a deep love for the Lord and was always willing to help those in need. He was preceded in death by his wife Delores Ann Smith, his parents Katherine and Cornelius Williams, and Alma Louise and Marvin Smith, as well as his father-in-law Fred Thomas. Reverend Smith departed this life to be with his Heavenly Father on October 5, 2020.
