Benjamin "Ben" Smith, son of the late Eugene and Ola Mae Smith, was born in Canton, Ohio on September 29, 1948.  He was the youngest of seven siblings.  Ben accepted Christ as a young adult and became a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.  He attended McKinley High School.  Some of his favorite pastimes include fishing, playing cards, and spending time with family and friends.  Ben, always    being "young at heart", was not only an uncle but a friend to all of his nieces and nephews.  He was the father of (2) sons, Andre Floyd and David Vance, a devoted  and loving step-father to Shatona, LaToya (Toby), Raven, LaKeesha "Ke-Ke", Christina, Austin, Elijah, Sherrod "Pooter"; (21) grandchildren and all of their friends.  He received devoted, unquestionable love from them in return.

In addition to his parents, Ben was preceded in death by his siblings Dorothy Vance and William Smith.  He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife of 16 years, Zahiyyah "Zee" Smith; (2) sisters, Arlene Logan and Rosie Smith; (2) brothers, Abraham (Patricia) Smith, George Smith, and (1) sister-in-law, Ernestine Smith all of Canton, Ohio; (2) best friends, Bill Coe and Abraham Grant; special cousin, Oliver Bush and a host of cousins, friends, and other relatives.