Erma Jean Smith was born on May 8, 1953, in Wabbaseka, Arkansas. Affectionately
known as Bay, she was one of eight children born to the late James Sr. and Annie
Mae Jones. After a brief stay in Bakersfield, CA, in the early 1960s, Erma settled in San Diego, CA, where she attended various schools within the San Diego Unified District. She had a passion for music and dancing. Bay was filled with love, laughter & “expressed herself,” speaking similar to her late great-grandmother, Ludellia Jones.
Erma tied the knot with Lewis Smith Sr., and their union was blessed with three children: Kenneth (Cha Cha) on November 29, 1968, Lewis (Jr.) on February 10, 1970, and Latisa (Tisa) on August 18, 1971. Family meant everything to Erma, and she cherished spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, and friends.
For most of her life, Bay called San Diego her home. In 2021, she relocated to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, accompanied by her sister and roommate, Dolores (Pee Wee), where
she spent her final three years before being called home on August 13, 2024.
Erma was preceded in death by her parents; James Sr. (Red Boy) and Annie Mae Jones, her grandmother Luella Jones, and four siblings; Robert Lee Jones, Emma Jean Henderson, Barbara Lorraine Jones, and James Jones Jr.
She is survived by her three children; Kenneth Smith (Danita), Lewis Smith Jr., and Latisa Taylor (Ricky), two extended children; Marcell Bradley and Shawanda Turner-Reid, siblings; Dolores Gibson, Ella Mae Jones, and John Henry Jones (Crystal). A special mention goes to her caregiver and niece, Shaniquia Jones (Reginald). Erma also leaves behind 19 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, numerous great nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends from Pine Bluff and San Diego. Her memory will be cherished, and her presence is deeply missed & never forgotten.
