Lamont Clinton Smith was born the second of four children to Junius and Rhoda (Morris) Smith on Thursday, March 15, 1951, at Freedman’s Hospital, now known as Howard University Hospital. Despite several early illnesses and life-threatening accidents, he had a joyful childhood. He formed fast friends with the boys in his neighborhood and idolized his big brother Cecil, behind whom he tagged along as any little brother would. Lamont matriculated in the District of Columbia Public Schools system and graduated from Spingarn High School.

A proud member of the class of 19 “6T9” (1969) at Spingarn, Lamont was involved in various extracurricular activities, including the Drama Club, the Drill Team, and the Rifle Team. He remained close to his classmates through the years and took off his hat in a quiet salute every time he drove past the building, even after its closing. During both his childhood and high school, he showed an early love for music, forming a band with his brother and several friends from their neighborhood where he played the guitar and later as a member of a singing group with his high school buddies. It is of this group that he frequently shared the story of how they were close to signing a recording contract - he just knew they would be the next temptations! This love for music would continue throughout his life.

Immediately after graduating high school, Lamont began working for the DC Superior Court system for nearly twenty years. He gained numerous lifelong friends from his time at the courts and never met a stranger. After leaving the courts, he later went on to work for DAR Constitution Hall and, after parlaying his love of cooking to professional skill, was employed by City Experiences, creating elaborate five-star meals for cruises on the Odyssey, Spirit of Washington and other vessels in the fleet. Lamont enjoyed this work, often sharing the recipes and cooking methods with family and friends. He was also an entrepreneur, selling products and services from Amway to life insurance to travel to precious metals. His extroverted and charismatic personality and conviction brought him success in these venues.

Lamont was a “Renaissance Man” who was not just a thinker but a “Creative.” His love of words led him to produce music, write poetry, and engage in energetic debate. He had a big voice that was instantly heard even in a large group in any room he occupied. His love of music motivated him to amass a sizeable collection of vinyl records - crates and creates - and he eventually became a DJ who went by the moniker, ‘Sir Jam-a-lot.” He loved all types of music - gospel, jazz, R&B, rap, go-go, classical, be-bop, and funk. He idolized doo-wop groups like the Temptations, bands like Earth, Wind and Fire, DC’s godfather of go-go Chuck Brown, muses like Phyllis Hyman and Chaka Kahn, and prodigies like Prince and Michael Jackson, but his ULTIMATE musician was Stevie Wonder.

Lamont was also a lover of cinema and spent time reveling in the heyday of classic movies. He loved westerns, science fiction, Mafia movies, and adventure. He was a big fan of Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, Yul Brynner, Robert DeNiro, Star Wars, Star Trek, Tombstone, The Godfather, and his ultimate favorite - The Ten Commandments. He would revel in chiming in with the dialogue with his favorite quotes from these movies and take advantage of any opportunity to see these classics whenever he could find them on TV or from his DVD collection.

Lamont was also a sports fanatic. As an athlete, he was a competitive bowler and softball team member. As a fan and native Washingtonian, he was loyal to all the professional DC teams. He must have purchased a front-row seat on the bandwagon of his beloved Washington Redskins/Commanders and remained loyal to the team to the end. He was also a fan of the Washington Senators/Nationals and the Bullets/Wizards. His love for boxing was personified in his admiration for the Greatest, Muhammad Ali. He loved to cook long before he was paid to do so, and of the various dishes he mastered, he became famous for his pound cakes and fried breakfast potatoes. He was also a member of the Prince Hall Masons.

Lamont accepted Christ at an early age and grew up in his family’s church, Capital View Baptist Church. Later in his adulthood, he accepted an invitation from his daughter, LaTanya, to visit the Spirit of Faith Christian Center (now Faith City Central) in the mid-1990s, where he became and remained a member until he transitioned. At Spirit of Faith, he found a renewed purpose, serving first as a leader in the Men’s Ministry and eventually being ordained as a Deacon in 2005. Here, he became a father to many and extended his family beyond his biological children. He was an evangelist and would share his love for Jesus via invitation to any stranger he met. He served diligently, passionately, and faithfully, periodically traveling with the pastors and associate pastors, was responsible for the facility's care, and performed baptisms, among other areas. His proudest moment as a Deacon was when he had the privilege of baptizing his son Jamal.

Lamont’s greatest passion was family, and he had the pleasure of welcoming a daughter, LaTanya Sherone, and a son, Jamal Lamont, into his life. He often shared his admiration for his children (and eventually, his grandchildren,) bragging to anyone who would listen about how he has both a principal and a preacher as a daughter and a son and announcing all their accomplishments to any captive audience. He was an amazing grandfather and showered his love, praise, kisses, time, hugs, head rubs, and affection on his four grandchildren. His siblings, nieces and nephews, and cousins remained at the center of his heart and the foundation of his motivation in life. Lamont had a big personality, presence, and smile, and his absence has left a big hole in the hearts of those who loved him.

Lamont was preceded in death by his beloved parents. He leaves the following loved ones to celebrate his life, memory, and legacy: his children, LaTanya (T. Gregory) Sothern and Jamal (Vianca) Smith; his grandchildren, Thomas “Tre,” Quinton, Zoe, and Jamal; his siblings Junius “Cecil” (Edna Marie,) Gregory (Vernell,) and Sharon; nieces and nephew Delora (Clarence Sr.,) Lamar, Janelle, and Jasmine; former wives Jean and Sharon; and a host of great-nephews, great-nieces, cousins, family, and friends.

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