Vickie Lee Presley-Smith

Reflections of Life - Vickie Lee Presley Smith

Vickie Lee Presley Smith was heaven sent on April 26, 1949 in Shreveport, Louisiana, to the late Mattie Mary Ashley and Clair Presley at LSU Health (formerly known as Confederate Memorial Hospital). Although she was the second eldest of five, she was a leader and glue to the family. Vickie's childhood was nurtured with the love and care of her maternal and paternal grandmothers - mama Ella and Ma'Bessie. 

Her love of cooking, family unity, and God was formed in Louisiana. She accepted the teachings of Christ at an early age at Evergreen Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. In the mid 1960s, during the final years of the Great Migration from the South to other regions of the United States, Vickie moved to Los Angeles, California, with her mother, stepfather, and siblings. Although Southern at heart, California became the place where she planted new roots. She first joined Laurel Street Baptist Church and later Holy Mount Calvary in the early 1990s, where she faithfully served as a member of the Mother's Board. 

Vickie was a lover of knowledge and graduated from Jordan High School with honors. During this time in history, Black people and women of all backgrounds were denied rights and protections. Despite these disadvantages, Vickie excelled and even received an academic scholarship to Wilberforce University, an historically Black university in Ohio. Professionally, Vickie excelled for over 30 years working in medical records at some of the most prestigious and populous organizations including Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Kaiser, and Centinela Hospital. 

In 1980, Vickie met Roosevelt Smith and in 1982, they married. From this union came three children. At age 7, Veronica Presley was adopted into the family; then in 1983 Vickie gave birth to a miracle baby - Precious Smith; in 1985 came their baby boy - Clair Smith. Vickie mothered more than her children, she also raised her grandchildren - Esca, Tiffany, Raydel, and Melvin. 

Vickie was an adventurer and world traveler who explored all over the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Europe. She enjoyed road trips, cruises, and family vacations. She was a woman of principle and family unity. She was a pillar in the lives of so many. 

Vickie was a small woman with a big heart and even bigger spirit. She survived cancer twice. She lived with diabetes for many years, never letting that slow her down. And in 2022, she was diagnosed with kidney failure. Vickie was an independent and strong-willed woman. Kidney failure and ongoing dialysis was difficult, but to know Vickie is to know that she did her very best for as long as she could. 

On May 12, 2026, Vickie Lee Presley Smith gained her heavenly wings and transitioned into eternal peace. 

She was a backbone of the family. She helped family and friends in need. She was smart, compassionate, reliable, and most of all loving. She's preceded in death by her mother Mattie Ashley, father Clair Presley, and eldest sister Barbara Ashley. She leaves to mourn her loss and cherish her memories, her husband Roosevelt Smith, her children Precious, Clair, and Veronica; three siblings Martha Ann, Linda Joyce, and Dexter Glenn; four grandchildren, Esca, Tiffany, Melvin, Raydel; one granddog Bear; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and loved ones. 

Vickie lived a life well lived. She was a treasure, full of wisdom and stories. She will be forever missed and forever cherished.