Ariel Emeree Smith

Arie was a delightful baby. She loved to play games and dolls with her sisters. Arie and her sisters were very excited to welcome their baby brother Jason who Arie affectionately called “Core”. She loved cameras and took every opportunity to take pictures of Core. She also loved outdoor activities such as skating and riding bikes. She enjoyed swimming with Jason during the summer and many visits to the library.

Arie graduated from Rialto High School June 9, 2004; Rialto, CA. and went on to attend Riverside Community College. She had an opportunity to attend the San Diego Job Corp where she completed the Health Occupational Training and received a Certificate of Completion in August 2007.

Upon completing the program, Arie returned to the San Bernardino area to pursue employment as a CNA and was employed with Meadows Ridge Care Center in Colton, CA.

After working in this industry for four years, she decided to return to Job Corp. She gained acceptance into the Ogden Utah Job Corp where she completed a course of study in business and received her Business Check Certificate of Completion in June 2012. Arie then applied and was admitted into the Business Program at Weber State University in June 2012 in hopes of receiving her business degree.

During her tenure at the Utah Job Corp, she was selected to represent the organization as an ambassador. She was flown to Washington, DC to present information about Job Corp. She was really passionate about what Job Corp offered youth and communicated that it is a great use of federal funds. While there, she met several House Representatives as well as Senators Orin Hatch and Mike Lee.

Arie was designated as CEO of Student Leadership for the Ogden Utah Job Corp, and received recognition as a “natural leader” while attending both Job Corp locations. Arie was also a member of the Green Team, and Diversity Group on the Utah Job Corp campus. She was instrumental in creating the “Center Video” where students could remain informed of daily campus news, activities, and events.

After graduating high school, Arie began her employment career at The Home Depot and left to attend Job Corp San Diego. She was later employed as an Activities Coordinator and later promoted to Activities Director with Atria, an assisted living facility. Arie returned to Utah to pursue an opportunity with Wells Fargo bank in Ogden, UT. She transferred to Tulsa, OK. After working with Wells Fargo, she secured and was excited about her new position as an Onboarding Specialist.

Arie loved to find “treasures” at her local thrift stores. She once said that she wanted a tea pot collection like her grandma. Arie also enjoyed art and creating things that could be displayed on walls or framed.

Arie loved to play volleyball and basketball. She was on various teams beginning in middle school and continued this during her time at Riverside Community College.

Arie loved the mountains and Disneyland. She expressed often how the mountains made her feel and of course, Disneyland where she was a season pass holder.

Anyone who knew Arie knew that she loved the Lord Jesus Christ and gave her life to him at an early age. She was baptized at the 11th Street Church of Christ in San Bernardino, CA at the age of eight.

Arie had a sense of humor just like her great-grandmother Sylvia J. Williams and her Papa Rex L. Barnett. She had a way of taking a situation and turning it into something that would have those who knew her in stitches. Her mother remembers a time when she shared something with Arie. Arie spoke with such wisdom, although her words stung as she was telling her mother the truth that she did not want to hear. Her mother told her, ok and she said, “Mom, I am trying to give you some ENCOURAGEMENT.” But the way that she said it was as if she had a whip and a chair and that she was taming a lion. Arie stopped talking and they fell out laughing! She had such a beautiful spirit! Her mother loved her sense of humor among many other things about her.

Arie was always present. When you had a conversation with her, she made sure to listen attentively. She offered advice when asked and was always willing to help anyone when called upon.

Arie was preceded in death by her great-grandparents, Henry and Sylvia Williams and Rex Barnett; grandparents, Rex L. Barnett, Dorrice Shepherd; and cousins Leland L. Franklin (April 26, 2024) Courtney A. Norwood (September 9, 2024).

Arie is survived by her mother and stepfather, Richard and Jacquelyn (Barnett) McGee; father, Michael Smith; grandmother, Omega S. Shepherd; sister, Morgen A. (Smith) Davis and husband Mitchell; sister, Gabryel A. (Smith) Bell and husband Eric; brother, Jason C. M. Sieka; nephew (affectionately known as Friend), Mitchell Amir Davis, IV; uncle, Kelvyn Barnett; uncle and aunt, Leon and Olivia (Barnett) Franklin; uncle and aunt, Michael and LaNita (Barnett) Barichere; uncle and aunt, Rex and Kia (Hughes) Barnett; great- aunts and uncles: Ruby and Oscar Mims, Mayme Shirley, Jasper Mims, and Joseph and Vivian Mims; a host of other aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; and pet, Gracie.