Obituary for Lester Lee Smith
"Though my heart is heavy, I am honored to carry the weight for it will remind me of you"
Infinity Train
Mr. Lester Lee Smith, 59, of Durham, NC was called home on Sunday, February 20, 2022 surrounded by his family and friends. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8
Lester was born in Newark, New Jersey on February 23, 1962 to Lena Girletha Smith and the late Horace Lee Smith. While he was still in grade school, Lester’s family moved to Durham, NC where he attended Y.E. Smith Elementary and Holton Middle Schools. He is a graduate of Hillside High School, illustrious class of 1980. As a proud Hillside Hornet, Lester served as the alumni class treasurer for the 1980 class reunion committee. After graduating high school Lester served in the United States Army from 1980-1985 where he met the love of his life and future wife. On September 20, 1986 he pledged eternal love and devotion to Lenora Swinton Smith and celebrated a 35 year union. Lester was the proud father of D'Mario, Steven and Celina and doting papa to Kato and Lyniah.
A pillar of the community, Lester worked for the City of Durham for 16 years in the Neighborhood Improvement Services Department, first as a member of the Impact Team and later as a Code Enforcement Officer. Lester was an elections precinct official for more than 20 years, serving as chief judge of Precinct 17 until his illness. Lester was a brother, line name “Shaft”, of W.I.N.E. Psi Phi Social Fraternity, Inc., Durham City Graduate Chapter where he served as vice president. He also served on the constitution committee of the national organization of W.I.N.E. Psi Phi. He was the assistant coach for Mount Vernon Baptist Church Community Outreach Youth (13-15 year old) basketball team and often volunteered his time to help others.
Lester's legacy is one of love, leadership, generosity, and dedication to others. He will be fondly remembered for his handsome smile, deep laugh, giving nature and sharp style, all of which were always on display at the Smith/Taylor and Phillips/Mitchell family reunions. He helped to plan and organize three Phillip/Mitchell reunions, and he served as a consistent member of the organizing and planning committee for the Smith/Taylor reunion where he served as treasurer for many years, including up to his illness. His light will shine forever on both family trees.
Our loss is immense, but our love is stronger than our sadness. May we live our lives in a way that reflects the lessons taught to us by Lester, a great son, brother, husband, father, uncle, papa, and friend. Lester was a man of integrity, good judgment, kind heart, and spiritual strength. Lester is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lenora; two sons, D’Mario (Susan Creary) and Steven (Nikkita Leeks); one daughter, Celina, all of Durham, NC; his mother, Lena; two brothers, Tony and Michael, Sr.; mother-in-law, Dorothy Swinton; two grandchildren, Kato and Lyniah; four nieces, Briana Madden (Josh Vance), Liann Madden, Tyesha Allen, Yolanda Jones; three nephews, Micheal “Ham” Smith, Tony D. Brown-Smith (Lindsey Acklin) and Juwan Swinton; five great nephews, Tyvion, Greyson, Darius, Lennox and Roland; 2 great nieces; Rowenn and Skylar; sister-in-law, Teresa Madden; three brothers-in-law, Steven, Harold Jr. and Alonzo Swinton; beloved aunt, Nora “Pee Wee” Moore; three godchildren, Delanie and Devin Smith, and Xyaria McRaven; and special family friend, Angela Armstrong Smith. A host of relatives and friends mourn the passing of Lester and will miss him dearly.
Words cannot express the gratitude in our hearts for the outpouring of love, care, and compassion shown to us during this sad and difficult time. We thank God for all of the calls, cards, gifts, hugs, food, and support. We pray that each of you continue to keep our family in your hearts and in your prayers. Thank God for our village. We love all of you. The Smith Family
Infinity Train
Mr. Lester Lee Smith, 59, of Durham, NC was called home on Sunday, February 20, 2022 surrounded by his family and friends. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8
Lester was born in Newark, New Jersey on February 23, 1962 to Lena Girletha Smith and the late Horace Lee Smith. While he was still in grade school, Lester’s family moved to Durham, NC where he attended Y.E. Smith Elementary and Holton Middle Schools. He is a graduate of Hillside High School, illustrious class of 1980. As a proud Hillside Hornet, Lester served as the alumni class treasurer for the 1980 class reunion committee. After graduating high school Lester served in the United States Army from 1980-1985 where he met the love of his life and future wife. On September 20, 1986 he pledged eternal love and devotion to Lenora Swinton Smith and celebrated a 35 year union. Lester was the proud father of D'Mario, Steven and Celina and doting papa to Kato and Lyniah.
A pillar of the community, Lester worked for the City of Durham for 16 years in the Neighborhood Improvement Services Department, first as a member of the Impact Team and later as a Code Enforcement Officer. Lester was an elections precinct official for more than 20 years, serving as chief judge of Precinct 17 until his illness. Lester was a brother, line name “Shaft”, of W.I.N.E. Psi Phi Social Fraternity, Inc., Durham City Graduate Chapter where he served as vice president. He also served on the constitution committee of the national organization of W.I.N.E. Psi Phi. He was the assistant coach for Mount Vernon Baptist Church Community Outreach Youth (13-15 year old) basketball team and often volunteered his time to help others.
Lester's legacy is one of love, leadership, generosity, and dedication to others. He will be fondly remembered for his handsome smile, deep laugh, giving nature and sharp style, all of which were always on display at the Smith/Taylor and Phillips/Mitchell family reunions. He helped to plan and organize three Phillip/Mitchell reunions, and he served as a consistent member of the organizing and planning committee for the Smith/Taylor reunion where he served as treasurer for many years, including up to his illness. His light will shine forever on both family trees.
Our loss is immense, but our love is stronger than our sadness. May we live our lives in a way that reflects the lessons taught to us by Lester, a great son, brother, husband, father, uncle, papa, and friend. Lester was a man of integrity, good judgment, kind heart, and spiritual strength. Lester is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lenora; two sons, D’Mario (Susan Creary) and Steven (Nikkita Leeks); one daughter, Celina, all of Durham, NC; his mother, Lena; two brothers, Tony and Michael, Sr.; mother-in-law, Dorothy Swinton; two grandchildren, Kato and Lyniah; four nieces, Briana Madden (Josh Vance), Liann Madden, Tyesha Allen, Yolanda Jones; three nephews, Micheal “Ham” Smith, Tony D. Brown-Smith (Lindsey Acklin) and Juwan Swinton; five great nephews, Tyvion, Greyson, Darius, Lennox and Roland; 2 great nieces; Rowenn and Skylar; sister-in-law, Teresa Madden; three brothers-in-law, Steven, Harold Jr. and Alonzo Swinton; beloved aunt, Nora “Pee Wee” Moore; three godchildren, Delanie and Devin Smith, and Xyaria McRaven; and special family friend, Angela Armstrong Smith. A host of relatives and friends mourn the passing of Lester and will miss him dearly.
Words cannot express the gratitude in our hearts for the outpouring of love, care, and compassion shown to us during this sad and difficult time. We thank God for all of the calls, cards, gifts, hugs, food, and support. We pray that each of you continue to keep our family in your hearts and in your prayers. Thank God for our village. We love all of you. The Smith Family