Wilbert Smith Jr.

Wilbert Smith Jr was born on Sept. 27, 1949 in Bakersfield, CA to Wilbert Smith Sr. and Ceola Herring-Maywheathers. He passed on May 4, 2019 in Kansas City, MO. Smitty was the fourth of ten children. He graduated from Central High School and was an employee of General Motors Fairfax until retirement in 2010 after 41 years of service.

Smitty married Donna M. Hughes and to that union was born his eldest daughter, Tara M. Smith. Smitty and Donna divorced after 9 ½ years. He later married Sherry E. Hill who proceeded him in death. He meet Pamela Ponder and once again became a father to his youngest child Tianna Ponder.

He was a member of Second Baptist Church of Kansas City. Smitty was well known and loved by many. He was an active man loving bowling, collecting comic books and miniature liquor bottles, playing cards, and cooking. He was a member of the Jive Turkey Bowling Club. His greatest joy was spending time with friends and family and going to clubs.

Wilbert (Smitty) is preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert Smith Sr. and Ceola Herring-Maywheathers, step-mother, Selissie Smith, wife, Sherry, sisters, Maydene Smith Nelson Clark, Wendell “Wendy” Lyons, and Theresa Smith, brother, Gary M. Grimes Sr., niece, Donna Nelson, nephew, Teddy R. Nelson, and great-granddaughter, Malaya Matthews, along with brother-in–law, Leon Perry.

Wilbert leaves behind to cherish his memory, daughters, Tara M. Smith-Hall (Kevin) and Tianna Ponder-Finnell (Brian), grandchildren, Traneisha Smith, James L. Matthews III, DaVon Franklin, Jaden Franklin, Jerome Franklin, DeAnthony Benitzz, and Za’Mya Wyatt, sisters, Linda Perry, Jocelyn Collins, Mercedes Fontenot, and brothers, Ray Lyons and Kelvin Jones along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He touched many lives and will always be remembered.

Home Going Celebration Party in His Honor, Sunday, June 2, 2019 at Swope Park Shelter #7 from 12:00 pm to 10 PM. We would love to have all of you there to celebrate and support us. You are welcome to bring something we are doing a BBQ. It is BYOB, we will have a balloon release, praise dancers, and lots of fun sharing memories. Family requests all flowers and cards be sent to 3832 Bales Ave, Kansas City, MO 64128.