My story began 72 years ago on August 22,1945 in Topeka, Kansas. I was born in our home at 221 Jefferson Street. I was the seventh child born to Lola Belle Dantzler Smith and Paul Smith. Unfortunately for me, I was born after my twin brothers and my oldest sister had already passed away. So, I became the baby brother of three sisters and the big brother to three sisters.

I attended Monroe Grade School from Kindergarten through fourth grade. Then I was able to attend Lincoln Grade School for fifth and sixth grade because of the Brown v. Board decision. My next school was East Topeka Junior High School and then on to the "Halls of Troy" - Topeka High School - where I graduated in 1962.

My Christian education was received at the New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church where I gave my life to Christ and was
baptized by the late Rev. Aaron Moore in 1959. I maintained my membership until I made my permanent residence in California. While in California, I became a member of the Allen Temple Baptist Church.

In 1963, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where I served for four years. I served in the Vietnam war and received two Purple Hearts for my wounds and several medals during my four years. Returning home from the service, I tried working briefly at the Santa Fe Shops where I quickly decided that I needed to prepare for another career. That is when I headed to California to begin my college experience. I attended Compton Community College for two years then transferred to Cal State Dominquez Hills where I received my B.A. in Psychology.

It was while I was at Cal State Long Beach that I met and married Marcella DeVeres. We were blessed to have one son,
Trevor Christian Smith. In all of my experiences in my life, my family has always been the most important experience to
me. I am most thankful for the love my family has shown me throughout my lifetime.

My work experience included employment at Kaiser, Zerox, Chubb Insurance and finally as Corporate Safety Director at
Recology, in San Francisco where I was employed for twenty years and from which I was fortunate to retire.

During my free time, I enjoyed serving as a mentor to young boys, playing golf with my golf buddies, attending sporting
events and traveling, not only traveling with my wife in the states, we traveled out of the country. My favorite trip was our
trip to South Africa. In addition to traveling with my wife, our men’s group Lonnie Williams, Ed Tucker, Donald Gregg, Raymond Powers and I took several trips over the years, which was always a lot of fun and a great bonding time.

I am forever bound by the love of my father, Paul Smith; my twin brothers, Donald Smith and Ronald Smith; my sisters, Joyce Smith and Pearline Johnson and my beloved paternal grandmother, Zeda Christian Smith, whom have all taken flight to the Heavens above before me.

I am survived by my beloved wife, Marcella K. “Marcy” DeVeres Smith (Hayward, CA); our son, Trevor Christian (Deja) Smith (Los Angeles, CA); my granddaughter, Tristen Smith (Los Angeles, CA); my beloved mother, Lola Belle Smith (Topeka, KS); my sisters, Barbara Davis (Topeka, KS), Patricia Smith (Topeka, KS), Trina (Tony) Scott (Topeka, KS), Brenda McNeil (Austin, TX) and Deborah Plakio (Topeka, KS) and a host of nieces and nephews.