Lucile Mertie Laycock, daughter of Harold Joe (1891-1967) and Vernice Ruth (Hulett) (1891-1970) Laycock, was born 2 April 1919 Mason, Ingham County, Michigan. She graduated from Okemos High School in 1937. On 5 July 1940 in Mason Lucile married Claude Areland Smith. Claude, son of Bernal Edwin and Rilla Irene (Deer) Smith, was born 26 July 1917.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Sunday 7 July 1940
MISS LAYCOCK WED AT HOME RITES
Miss Lucille Laycock, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Laycock of Mason, and Claude Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernal Smith of Lansing, were married Saturday evening in the Laycock home at Mason, by the Rev. Mr. Ray Norton of Lansing. There were 50 guests present.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Tuesday 8 July 2003
SMITH, LUCILE MERTIE (LAYCOCK)
MASON, MI
FORMERLY OF LESLIE, MI
On July 6, 2003, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, cousin, aunt and friend left to join our Lord. Lucile always had a sweet smile on her face and a kind word for everyone she met, even as her pain became difficult to bear and her days drew near a close. She will be greatly missed by those of us whose lives she has touched over the years. Lucile was born on April 21, 1919 and raised on the family farm near Mason. She attended the Robbins Country School, Okemos High School and County Normal, where she earned her Teaching Degree. She taught school at local country schools for 3 years before her marriage of 63 years to her life partner and love, Claude Smith. Together they shared their love with their 5 children, their extended family and many friends. Claude and Lucile lived in Lansing after their marriage, moving to Leslie in 1950 where they lived together for over 50 years. Lucile was a member of the PTA (serving as President), a Girl Scout Troop Leader, a member of the Local Zoning Board, and a worker at Local Elections. Lucile and Claude were active members of the Leslie United Methodist Church during their years in Leslie and in their retirement attended the Trinity United Methodist Church in Zephyhills, FL., where they maintained a winter residence for many years at the Sweetwater RV Park. In later years, they became members of the First United Methodist Church of Mason, which has served several generations of Lucile's family. Lucile enjoyed many interests. She sewed clothes for all of her children as they grew and often made matching dresses for her daughters and their favorite dolls. Lucile spent many years playing cards in clubs that played Pinochle and Bridge, enjoying the close friendships they formed. She also devoted many years of her life to decorating cakes, crafting beautiful birthday, graduation, and wedding cakes for countless people in the area. Lucile researched the family's genealogy and traced the family back to the 1600's. In later years, Claude and Lucile owned Vince Cleaners in Leslie for over 10 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Vernice (Hulett) Laycock, brother, Roy (Margie) Laycock, and great-granddaughter, Jacqueline Ireland Denny. Surviving are her devoted husband, Claude A. Smith; daughter Claudia (Jim) Ireland; daughter, Diane Hull; daughter, Marilyn (Charlie) Adams; son, Phil (Dorothy Anne) Smith, daughter, Nancy Fox; 17 grandchildren; sister, Phyllis (Bob) Droscha; dear cousins, Lila and Elna Moore; many nieces, nephews and cousins; lifetime friends, Reg and Phyllis Wickham; and many other friends that Lucile made over the years. Funeral Services will be held Friday, July 11, Noon, at Gorsline-Runciman Co. Ball-Dunn Chapel, 621 S. Jefferson, Mason, MI with the Rev. Timothy T. Tuthill, First United Methodist Church of Mason officiating.
Claude died 2 November 2004. Claude and Lucile were interred Maple Grove Cemetery, Mason, Ingham County.