1955
Gary
2015
Gary Smith
October 7, 1955 — April 21, 2015
Gary L. Smith was born to the parentage of Richard Cornelius and Beatrice L. Rodriquez on October 7, 1955, in Dallas, Texas. He was the first born of four children; four sons and a sister.
Gary was baptized at a very early age into the Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. When he was 11 ½ years old, his mother, Gary and sister moved to Los Angeles, California to live. He continued his devotion in faith at, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California. While growing up in Dallas, Texas and Los Angeles, California, Gary found his talent in drawing & sketching, writing poems, and putting together model planes/cars and buildings. He loved collecting miniature race cars, Marvel comic books. Gary also enjoyed delicious meals and loving his family, friends and his devotion to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Gary attended and graduated from Los Angeles High School in June 1973 in Los Angeles, California. He joined the branch of the U.S. Army after graduating high school, where he served three years. Upon returning home from service, Gary met Carol Williams and to this union three children were born, Gary L. Smith, Jr. (1978); Neiman M. Smith (1979), and Mechico Smith (1980). Gary later met and fell in love with Arnetta Bell Washington and married in 1986. Arnette brought along her daughter Brandi Washington and in 1987 the union of Gary and Arnette brought forth two daughters Anastashia (1987) and Amaris ( 1992) and remained deeply in love and friends until Arnetta’s death on April 19, 2007.
During Gary years living in Dallas, Texas with his family, he worked as a truck driver supporting his family. Gary life wasn’t always an easy life though; he experienced some trial and tribulations but always kept his faith and devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and the love of his family very strong in his heart. In October 2012 Gary was dealt a horrible turn in his life. He knew his time was short but he never complained about his health. Gary lived, loved and devoted his life to God and family every day of his life without a complaint. His sacrifices were many and his heart was big. He loved his family, friends, The Macedonia Church and life to the fullest. Preceding him in death, (brother) Ricky Cornelius; (wife) Arnetta Smith; (grandson) Irman and (step-father) Edward Rodriguez.
Gary is survived by his father, Richard Cornelius (Gretta); his mother, Beatrice L. Rodriguez; his sister, Sheila G. Richardson; brothers, Joseph and Elliott Cornelius; his children, Gary L. Smith Jr., Neiman M. Smith, Mechico Smith, Anastashia Smith, Brandi Washington and Amaris Smith; grandchildren, Kelon Washington, Tavian Washington, Amara Smith, Ariana and Ayisha Roberts, and “lil dude”, Abiah Webster, a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces and friends; special friends, Rev. Myles & Sister Myles, Deacon James & Sister James and The Macedonia Church congregation he LOVED as well.
Gary was baptized at a very early age into the Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. When he was 11 ½ years old, his mother, Gary and sister moved to Los Angeles, California to live. He continued his devotion in faith at, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California. While growing up in Dallas, Texas and Los Angeles, California, Gary found his talent in drawing & sketching, writing poems, and putting together model planes/cars and buildings. He loved collecting miniature race cars, Marvel comic books. Gary also enjoyed delicious meals and loving his family, friends and his devotion to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Gary attended and graduated from Los Angeles High School in June 1973 in Los Angeles, California. He joined the branch of the U.S. Army after graduating high school, where he served three years. Upon returning home from service, Gary met Carol Williams and to this union three children were born, Gary L. Smith, Jr. (1978); Neiman M. Smith (1979), and Mechico Smith (1980). Gary later met and fell in love with Arnetta Bell Washington and married in 1986. Arnette brought along her daughter Brandi Washington and in 1987 the union of Gary and Arnette brought forth two daughters Anastashia (1987) and Amaris ( 1992) and remained deeply in love and friends until Arnetta’s death on April 19, 2007.
During Gary years living in Dallas, Texas with his family, he worked as a truck driver supporting his family. Gary life wasn’t always an easy life though; he experienced some trial and tribulations but always kept his faith and devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and the love of his family very strong in his heart. In October 2012 Gary was dealt a horrible turn in his life. He knew his time was short but he never complained about his health. Gary lived, loved and devoted his life to God and family every day of his life without a complaint. His sacrifices were many and his heart was big. He loved his family, friends, The Macedonia Church and life to the fullest. Preceding him in death, (brother) Ricky Cornelius; (wife) Arnetta Smith; (grandson) Irman and (step-father) Edward Rodriguez.
Gary is survived by his father, Richard Cornelius (Gretta); his mother, Beatrice L. Rodriguez; his sister, Sheila G. Richardson; brothers, Joseph and Elliott Cornelius; his children, Gary L. Smith Jr., Neiman M. Smith, Mechico Smith, Anastashia Smith, Brandi Washington and Amaris Smith; grandchildren, Kelon Washington, Tavian Washington, Amara Smith, Ariana and Ayisha Roberts, and “lil dude”, Abiah Webster, a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces and friends; special friends, Rev. Myles & Sister Myles, Deacon James & Sister James and The Macedonia Church congregation he LOVED as well.
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