Phillip Henry Smith was born on December 17, 1965, in Cleveland, Ohio.   He was the tenth of eleven children to the late Henry and Luvenia Smith.

As a child, Phillip was active in sports, especially basketball and football. At the age of nine, he was baptized at Peace Baptist Church and served faithfully as part of the ICUA Usher Program.

Phillip was a proud graduate of John Adams High School, Class of 1983. He went on to further his education at Cleveland State University, Cuyahoga Community College, and ultimately graduated from DeVry University in Columbus, Ohio.

For 36 years, Phillip worked at Lake Erie Electric, where his dedication and strong work ethic were evident to all who knew him. Outside of work, he found joy in baking during the holidays, especially with his famous cakes and cookie bars becoming a beloved family tradition. Phillip’s quiet nature was matched by his generous spirit—he would do anything for his family and friends, and his presence was always felt.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Ralph and Aaron Smith, and sisters Janice and Kathy Smith, all of Cleveland and Sandra Fletcher, of Georgia. 

Phillip leaves behind to cherish his memory his brothers Gregory and Dennis Smith (Sonya), sisters Annette Smith and Linda Moses of Cleveland, and Gail Hudson (Calvin) of Hartford, Connecticut; brother-in-law Darryl Fletcher of Georgia; sisters-in-law Eloise Briggs of Bedford Hts, Claudette Smith of North Carolina, and June Smith of California; his longtime girlfriend, Willena Jackson of Akron; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends who will deeply miss him.

Phillip will be remembered for his kindness, his reliability, and his unwavering love for his family. His life was one of quiet strength, generosity, and devotion, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.