Patricia Ann Smith, 78, went home to be with the Lord on July 31, 2023. Patricia was born on February 8, 1945 in Yantley, Alabama to the late Para Lee Gaines and was blessed with two fathers, Dempsey Gaines and Oscar Johnson. She moved to Akron, Ohio with her family when she was 8 years old, in October 1953. Patricia attended Akron Public Schools.

A devoted housewife and mother, Patricia married William T. Smith, Jr. (Billy) on July 29, 1961. They had 3 children, William (Petie), Nadja (Lyn), and Chandra.

From the age of 13, Patricia pressed and curled hair for generations of residents throughout Akron. She was a "pro" with the hot comb, alongside her younger sister, Nuchie. They had the East Side locked down for getting you "fried, dyed, and laid to the side."

After her kids were grown, she worked for ABM Facility Cleaning Services, retiring after 20 years. She had a passion for cooking and baking and she was a great cook. She spent countless hours baking cakes and pies for family and friends each year, especially during the holidays. She was famous for her 7-Up pound cake. She also loved to fish, garden, play the lottery and bingo.

Patricia accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church in 1979. She was on the usher board and cooked for the second Sunday fellowship breakfast. Later, she joined the noonday Tuesday lunch program, where she and her sisters in Christ cooked and served nutritious meals at the church for the elderly and people in need for 10 years. In 2019, she was nominated and honored with a special "Laborers of Love Award" for outstanding character and community service.

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, William T. Smith, Jr. (Billy); her mother, Para Lee Gaines; fathers, Dempsey Gaines and Oscar Johnson; stepmother, Ruth Yoder; infant brother, Joseph Gaines; sisters, Doris Graham and Calvenua Parish (Nuchie); brothers, James Gaines and Kenny Johnson; special aunt, Christine Johnson; son-in-law, Markan Salaam (Poo); and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Smith. She leaves to cherish her memory, son William T. Smith III (Petie) and daughters, Nadja Smith and Chandra Salaam; sister, Carylon (Milton) Johnson; brother, Shelton Johnson; sister-in-law, Latonia Gaines; brothers-in-law, Lucius Parish, Nolan Smith, Edward (Mary) Smith, Alvin (Sharon) Smith; step-sister, Deb (Mick) Matczyszyn, all of Akron; grandchildren, Nicole Burnside, Latoya Williams, Nakia Burnside, Tracey Oldham, and Camille Salaam; great grandchildren, Ashaunti Carter, Jelyn Burnside, Calie Burnside and Shaniya Carter; great-great grandchild, Amila Carter; special nieces, Yvette Hopson and Rachael Smith; special cousins, Sam (Jerry) Traylor and Juanita Hundley; special friends, Goody, Margaret, Diane, Ernestine, Antonia, Edna, Carol, Colleen, Mary, Lucille, Amelia, Pam, Ms. Pickett, Sister, Beatrice  and Sarah; special neighbors, Demetrius and Denise; special sons, Marlon Stevenson and Nate Turner and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.