Lillie Bell Smith was called home from this life to be with the lord in the early morning of Tuesday, December 18, 2018. Her funeral will be 11:30AM on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church 408 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Greensboro, NC. Visitation will start at 11:00AM at the church. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Park.

She was born April 15, 1941, in Calhoun County, Alabama to the late Frank and Sleetie Bowie. She remained in Alabama throughout her childhood where she graduated from high school.

Lillie was a kind, selfless, and forgiving but feisty soul who got along with everyone and never hesitated to help someone in need even if that person had mistreated her in the past. She was shy and did not like to be captured in photos and videos.

Lillie was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Frank Bowie Jr., Arthur Bowie, Johnny Bowie, and Oscar Bowie; and a grandson Keith S. Smith.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Pate Smith; son Tony M. Smith (Angela); daughters, Valerie Smith, Gloria A. Smith, and Christine Smith; grandchildren Denise S. Smith, Calvin Smith, Tony L. Smith (Jeneva), Travis R. Smith (Mayra), Brittany Amanfor (Emmanuel), Shanté P. Washington, Najee C. Smith, and Christian Smith; 5 great-grandchildren, 6 sisters, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Woodard Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements.