Willie "DC" Smith

Willie Darnell “DC” Smith was born April 10, 1957 and went to be with his heavenly father on July 16, 2019. He was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina where he graduated from Hillside High School. He attended and played basketball at Brevard Junior College before transferring to play basketball at East Tennessee State University where he graduated with a BS in Computer Science and later earned a Masters degree. He was a member of Saint Paul AME Zion Church. DC was a math professor at ETSU where his motto for his students was “Do as I say do!” He loved teaching, playing basketball, tennis and the piano. He loved life and everyone around him. DC excelled at helping people achieve their full potential, while learning the value of hard work. His wonderful life will be cherished by his wife Sheila Smith, two sons Christopher Smith, and Shannon (Diane) Diggs of Seaford, Virginia; stepson Jordan Charles, stepdaughter Alexis Gardner, two grandchildren Grayson Charles and Halle Charles who knew him as Papa “D”. His siblings, sister Deborah Smith of Durham, NC; brothers Steve Smith (Kim) of Durham, NC; Rodney Smith (Vanessa) of Marietta, GA; nephews and little brother Demond Smith, Rodney Smith Jr, Calvin Smith, and niece Sydney Smith. He also leaves behind very special friends, Robert Davidson, Pete Peterson (Stacy), Eric Adelman (Kim), Larry Taylor (Michelle). His two god children Emily Davidson and Leland Davidson, along with a host of relatives, friends and his church family. DC will be dearly missed by all he came into contact with. He had a wonderful smile and a big heart that was always there for anyone who needed him. At his request he was cremated. The service to celebrate his life will be held at St. Paul AME Zion, 201 Welbourne Street. The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm Saturday, July 27, 2019 with a memorial service following with Reverend Philmont Bostric officiating. Music will be provided by Roddy Bird and the St. Paul Choir. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to Park and Recreation Foundation, P O Box 2150, Johnson City, Tennessee.

Willie "DC" Smith

April 10, 1957 - July 16, 2019