Mrs. Lillie Lee Smith Cumberlander, was the fourth child born to the late Lem and Minnie F. Higgins Smith in Chambers County, Alabama on January 12, 1922. She departed this life on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at Lanier Health Service, Valley, AL.

Lillie received her early education in the Chambers County School System. After graduating from the Chambers County Training School in LaFayette, Alabama, where she was an avid basketball player, she furthered her education at Tuskegee University and Alabama State University, where she earned a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education. She was employed as a teacher in the Chambers County School System, the Chambers-Coosa-Tallapoosa Headstart Program and with the Lanett and Valley Senior Citizen Program.

On December 25, 1947, Lillie was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Ulus Cumberlander, Sr. God blessed this union of 54 years with six loving children.

Lillie confessed her faith and hope in Christ at an early age and joined the Rehope Baptist Church under the pastorage of Rev. C. C. Terry. After marriage, she united with the St. John Baptist Church and was active in the senior choir and the Missionary Society. Later, she joined the St. John Community Baptist Church where she continued in those capacities as well as Vice President-Missionary Society, Matrons Counselor, Deacon Wives, assistant Sunday School teacher and the Mother of the Church. She served as the Bowen East District Matrons-Counselor-at-Large for several years.

Lillie enjoyed a very fruitful and active life. She was a member of the Qui Vive Civic Club of Lanett. In her leisure time she enjoyed sewing, cooking, playing the piano, doing word search puzzles, attending and watching sports of all variety but most of all being with family.

Her presence will be truly missed and her precious memories are etched in our hearts forever.

Lillie departed this life on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at Lanier Health Service, Valley, Alabama.

She was preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers.

Her memories will be cherished by her loving children: Theresa (Wendell) Price, Phenix City, AL; Waymon (Carolyn) Cumberlander,Lanett, AL; Mario Cumberlander, Phenix City, AL; Ulus Cumberlander, Jr; Janice Cumberlander and Olita Shvelle Cumberlander, Lanett, AL; four grandchildren, Terrance (April) Price,Lanett, AL; Derrick (Tamara) Cumberlander, Huntsville, AL; Sheree Cumberlander, Nashville, TN; Marcus Cumberlander, Phenix City, AL; five Great-Grandchildren, Kamryn, Derrick II, Bryson, Chasity, and Zhayera. One brother, Nathaniel (Rudine) Smith, Lanett; one sister Carolyn (John) Phillips, Nashville, TN; four sisters-in-law, Bessie Smith, Wadley; Princella Smith, Detroit, MI; Willie Mae Strozier and Bernice Cumberlander, Columbus, OH; two God grandsons, Antonio Glasco and Jamarrius Frazier, a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

The family may be contacted @ 334-644-1201( Janice Cumberlander) or @ 334 642-4816 (Ulus Cumberlander, Jr.).


Interment: St. John Baptist Church Cemetery  

Professional services provided by M W Lee Mortuary Inc. in West Point GA. http://www.mwleemortuary.com