Gayle Sharon Smith was born July 30, 1956, to M.B. and Josephine Smith. Gayle was the sixth child out of ten. She was proceeded in death by father M.B and three brother’s Steffen, Porter, Reginald, and one sister Rae Evelyn. Grandparents Joseph Spates, Annie Tatum-Spates, Arron Smith, Jessie Smith, Aunties Dolores Spencer, Mildred Walker and Annie Pearl Smith, Uncles Joseph Spates, Porter Smith, AC Smith. Great Aunties Peggy Mae Bettis and Loretta Arnwine and brother-in-law Jerome Sanders-Jenkins and her childhood sweetheart Raymond Tate they will be forever in our hearts.

Gayle was affectionally known as peaches, peedie cakes or by her middle name Sharon. She did not like to be called by her nickname or middle and she would cuss you out and tell you that is not her name, “my name is Gayle.” However, Gayle was Baptist at an early age and attended Fidelity Baptist Church and later frequent visited The Word Church. Gayle attended Cleveland public school and graduated in 1974 from East high School. After high School Gayle enrolled into Dyke College for accounting where she obtained an associate degree. Gayle and her childhood sweetheart Raymond Tate gave birth to their only child Dione Raymond Smith. After the birth of her son Dione, she started career as an operator at Ohio Bell, Ameritech and finally AT& T where she retired after 33 years’ service.

Gayle was the kindest, generous person and will give you the shirt off her back but when you crossed her you might as well not come around because she would ignore and cuss you out at the same time. But on the other hand, if you needed her, she would complain and she would give you a lecture at the same time but come through and help every time if you kept your promise to pay her back. Gayle loved life to the fullest and loved her family, friends, and bonus family. She loved to dress and go shopping with her sister Ronda, who the family called Thelma and Louise when you see one the other was not far. Gayle love to go out eat and her favorite restaurant Red Lobster, take trips and play bingo, lottery, gambling at the casino, and she loved to watch sports which was her favorite pass time and was true diehard fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Browns. Gayle had love for everyone and kept her nephews and nieces on the speed dial.

Gayle suffered a long time with heart failure which led to her kidney declining. Gayle was a fighter and fought till the end and Gayle told everybody I am not giving up and everyone was behind her all the way with what her decision was to keep on living. Every time that the doctors told her that her days to live, she proved them wrong and her strong will to live and gave her more time with her family. So, they would send her home with home care which turned into weeks and months and Gayle never gave up. Finally, the doctor said that they would give her until the end of August. She told them that they were a lying and told them that God and has the last say so and she refused to believe them. As a result, she continues to fight by attending every doctor’s appointment. Her strong will to live kept her believing she had a fighting chance and proving the doctors wrong. Until the day Gayle took her last breath on August 19, 2024, at 5:25pm with family around her bedside. Although our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing that she is free of sickness and no more pain. We will always cherish her memories, and unconditional love Gayle gave to us forever. She leaves to cherish her memory, son Dione Smith, two grandchildren Dione Smith Jr. and My’Iovry Smith. Her loving mother Josephine Smith. Siblings Harriet Spencer, Lawrence Spates, Renette Campbell (William), Ronda Smith-Jenkins and Joseph Spates (Crystal) and host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Humbly Submitted Family