Wilbert Smith

SMITH, Mr. Wilbert, Sr. - Age 91, passed away Friday, October 31, 2008 at Avalon Hospice. Family hour 1:30PM Thursday, November 6, 2008 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 2PM. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 1:30PM Thursday. Mr. Smith will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, and may be viewed from 1-8PM Wednesday. Mr. Wilbert Smith, Sr., was born January 12, 1917 in Tutwiler, Mississippi, to the union of Patrick and Aslee Smith. Wilbert served in the United States Army during WWII under the Command of General Douglas McArthur and was a member of the 100th Coast Artillery (AA) Battery B from 1941-1945 receiving numerous medals. He was the first African American in Flint to be hired as a Skilled Trade Welder at General Motors Fisher Body-Grand Blanc where he retired October of 1986 after 36 years and was a member of UAW Local #1292. On January 8, 1938 he was united in Holy Matrimony to Otye Leatha Verner to this union 13 children were born 9 sons and 4 daughters. Mr. Smith was a former member of Pilgrim Temple C.O.G.I.C under the late Eld. Leo Jackson, now known as Jackson Memorial C.O.G.I.C. Mr. Wilbert Smith, Sr. leaves to cherish his memory; 4 daughters, Jean (Earnest) Gonder-Carr of Flint, Diane Smith Cosse of Santa Clara, CA, Aslee Hall of Copperas Cove, TX, Vincenthia Smith of Round Rock, TX; 8 sons, Col. Wilbert (Lilli-Ann) Smith, Jr., Ret. USAF, of Houston, TX, Eddie (Angelean) Smith, Emmanuel (Barbara) Smith, Eugene (Beverlyn) Smith, all of Flint, Lorenzo (Jacquelyn) Smith of Southfield, MI, Nathaniel (Syble) Smith of Grand Blanc, MI, Calvin (Althea) Smith of Sugarland, TX, Alphonso (Cenina) Smith of Saline, MI; 26 grandchildren, Jennifer, Mishari, Shicara, Linnea, Tracee, Paris, Jerell, Jazz, Ryan, Taylor, Christopher, Gregory, Malicia Smith, Rhonda Hyatt, Jasonica Crawford, Eric and Cynthia Cosse, Shannon Kleckley, Nathaniel Smith, Jr., Eugene Smith, Jr., Rodney Hall, Jr., Chantel and Cyrice Hall, Keenan and Erik Lawler, E’lecia Robinson; 13 great-grandchildren; 2 great great-grandchild; brother, Allen (Revanele) Smith of Gary, IN; a host of other relatives and friends. Mr. Wilbert Smith, Sr. was preceded death by her wife, Otye L. Smith; son, Clarence Smith; grandchildren, Isaac Milton Cosse, Jr., Charles L. Gonder, II, Kevin, Kathy, Kassandra and Keith Smith; parents, Patrick and Aslee Smith; 2 brothers, Eddie and Lorenzo Smith and sister, Lee Bertha Woodall. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Charles Strong, Mr. & Mrs. Ocie Johnson, his caregivers, Maggie, Donna, Sue and the staffs of Avalon Hospice and McLaren Homewood Village.

Wilbert Smith

January 12, 1917 - October 31, 2008