"A Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, & Friend"

Wilbern Wayne Smith was born January 23, 1936, in Pelham, TX to the parents of Johnnie B and Estella Mae Smith.  He attended Dalworth High School where he received his education.  He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age.  Affectionately known as Wayne, he joined the US Army where he was stationed in Hawaii until his honorable discharge in 1958.  Upon moving to Grand Prairie TX, he met and married the love of his life Ellone Davis on December 30, 1965. To this union, they had three beautiful daughters, Gloria Ann, Paula Lynette, and Felecia Renae.

In 1965, Wayne and Ellone along with their daughters united with Rose of Sharon Baptist Church in Dallas TX under the leadership of Rev. L. V. Toney.  He served as a deacon, sang in the Sanctuary Choir, and the Male Chorus where he was one of their lead singers.  One of his favorite songs that he would lead was "I Stood on the Banks of Jordan". Later on, he joined McIntosh CME Church in Grand Prairie TX under the leadership of Rev. James Smith, followed by Rev. Roderick Shepherd and now Rev. Marcus Rodgers where he remained faithful until his health started to fail in February 2020.

Wayne was a truck driver and later promoted as a supervisor for Nationwide/McKesson Paper company where he retired from in 1992. After taking just a little break, he started working for Altron Paper Manufacture and retired from that company in 2002. He decided to take another break and then he started working in 2007 at the Dallas Auto Auction until he got sick in 2014 and had to quit. Wayne was a great provider and protector for his family.

On April 18, 2020, Wayne learned he had stage 4 lung cancer. The Lord allowed and blessed him to be at home with his family when he heard the Master's call and took the Master's hand on Friday, May 8, 2020. He was welcomed into glory by his parents, Johnnie B and Estella Mae Smith; seven brothers, six sisters; two sons-in-law, Arthur Daniels, and Jeffrey Henderson; and four grandchildren, Chrystal Nicole Daniels, Christopher Matthew Daniels, Christian Deion Daniels, and Brian Wayne Smith.

Wayne is now watching over his beloved wife of 54 years, Ellone Smith; daughters, Gloria Ann Daniels, Paula Lynette Henderson, and Felecia Smith-Hawkins; grandchildren, Jaelen Mykal Henderson, David Clyde McKinney II, and Darius Wayne McKinney; two great-grandchildren, Brodey Kartez Smith, and Jaci Briana Henderson; one sister, Ophelia Smith; sister-in-law, Evelene Smith; brothers-in-law, Troy Wood Sr. and Benny Davis (Kenyetta); a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.