Lydia L. Smith

Lydia Elsa Luthmann Smith, age 103, passed away peacefully in her sleep Tuesday, May 6, 2025, shortly after celebrating a special birthday weekend with family and friends. The Lord blessed her with a long and full life.

A private interment service will be held for the family at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Lydia was born May 4, 1922, in Hoboken, New Jersey, to Reinhardt Frederick Luthmann and Elsa Jessen Luthmann, both of whom had immigrated from Germany shortly after the turn of the century. Lydia learned and spoke both English and German. After graduating from high school in Hoboken, she attended the Katherine Gibbs School in New York City and later worked at the Thomas J. Lipton Company in Hoboken.

On November 15, 1947, Lydia married her best friend and the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Dod Smith. In 1951, they relocated to the Niagara Falls area when Bob accepted a position with E.I. DuPont. They settled on Grand Island, where they raised three children in a beloved waterfront home on the Niagara River. Lydia and Bob created a wonderful family life—summers were filled with swimming and boating, winters with ice skating and skiing, and year-round fun with family and friends—along with plenty of exercise shoveling snow! The couple were active members of St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church, where Lydia served faithfully on the altar guild.

In 1971, Bob’s job moved the family to Memphis, Tennessee. They joined Holy Apostles Episcopal Church and continued their love of the outdoors, camping in the Smoky Mountains and boating on Mississippi’s lakes. Family vacations to the Florida Panhandle, especially to Destin, became a cherished tradition for more than 30 years.

In 1987, Lydia and Bob moved to Waco, Texas, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Lydia volunteered in the community as a cook for Meals on Wheels and as a docent at the Mayborn Museum. At St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, she again served on the altar guild and became a beloved member of the parish. Lydia and Bob also became proud Baylor Bear fans and enjoyed attending Baylor Homecoming celebrations with their family.

Lydia and Bob traveled often during these years and held fond memories of trips to Europe with Lydia’s brother and sister-in-law. Another memorable journey was to Turkey and Greece for the “In the Steps of Saint Paul” tour led by Dr. Bill Carden with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

After Bob’s passing in 2018, Lydia remained in Waco and moved to The Delaney at Lake Waco in 2020. She found deep joy in the friendships and community she built there. She especially loved spending time at her daughter’s home and hosting her son for Saturday lunches at The Delaney.

Lydia will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and extraordinary gift for friendship. She remained deeply devoted to her extended family, kept up with the events of their lives, and even mastered her iPad—staying active on Facebook and FaceTiming with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren well into her centenarian years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of nearly 71 years, Robert Dod Smith; her eldest son, William Reinhardt Smith; her brother, Reinhardt F. Luthmann; and her sister-in-law, Margaret Mary Luthmann.

She is survived by her daughter, Carol Smith Nowlin, and husband, Bob, of Waco; her son, Steven Richard Smith, and wife, Luellen, of Dallas; and four grandchildren: Patrick Brian Nowlin and wife, Sharon; Trevor Dod Smith and wife, Kellen; Steven Cole Smith and wife, Emy; and Paige Nowlin High and husband, Hudson.

Lydia was blessed with nine great-grandchildren, who lovingly referred to her as “Oma”: Eden Anne High, Elijah William Nowlin, Palmer Louise Smith, Sutton Eleanor Smith, Everette Luellen Smith, Coley Lynn Smith, Miller Ellen Smith, Sheppard Dod Smith, and Samuel Hudson High.

She is also survived by her niece’s family—Mary, Paul, and Michael Laura; her nephew, Mark Luthmann, and his wife, Caroline; and her cherished “adopted” granddaughters, Christina and Erika Rivera.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of The Delaney at Lake Waco and The Residency at Ridgewood for their compassionate care and friendship.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 601 Columbus Avenue, Waco, TX 76701, or to St. Paul’s Episcopal School.

We invite you to leave a message or memory of Lydia in her “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.