We gather today to honor the life and cherish the memories of Darlene Smith, a beacon of kindness and gentleness, whose earthly journey began on June 5, 1956, in the heart of Cleveland, Ohio. The daughter of the late Josephus and Velma Smith, Darlene was a sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who embraced life with an unwavering spirit of generosity.

Darlene’s commitment to nurturing and caring for others was evident through her distinguished career as a registered nurse, a calling she embraced with passion and dedication after her graduation from John Adams High School in 1974. Her pursuit of knowledge led her to the doors of Cuyahoga Community College, where she completed the nursing program, and then onward to Cleveland State University for business courses. Since 1986, Darlene’s hands and heart worked tirelessly in various nursing capacities—medical-surgical, intensive care, long-term care, and home care. Her skills in organizing, management, budgeting, and marketing were not merely professional strengths but were also expressions of her profound desire to serve and uplift those around her.

Darlene’s life was a tapestry woven with vibrant threads of joy—her love for a spirited card game, the thrill of bingo, the adventures found in traveling, and the rhythms that moved her to dance. Music was a melody that flowed through her life, and shopping was an activity she approached with the same enthusiasm and care that she did everything else. Above all, Darlene adored her grandchildren and great-grandchild, lavishing them with love and attention, spoiling them as only a grandmother could.

Darlene was called home to be with the Lord on July 14, 2025. Though she was preceded in death by her beloved son Terry Adair, daughter Theresa Dazy Adair, and sister Cheryl, her legacy continues through her surviving family her son Darnell Smith, brothers Edward Vines (Lidya), Dewayne Smith (Ann), grandsons Jacquis, MyKell and great grandson Nekiel. And a host of nieces, nephews, family and close friends.

In remembering Darlene, we recall a woman who embodied the virtues of kindness, thoughtfulness, and gentleness. Her life was a living sermon of compassion, a testament to the power of love in action. As we bid farewell to Darlene Smith, let us carry forward the light she shone in this world—a light that will continue to guide and inspire us all. Her spirit, a gentle whisper in the wind, will forever remind us of the beauty and grace that one life can hold. Rest now in eternal peace, dear Darlene, until we meet again.