Patricia Smith

Patricia Smith was born on Saturday May 29, 1965 to Jessie Smith Sr. and Lola V. Smith in Wesson, Mississippi. At nine months old she and her family traveled to San Diego where she would remain for her earthly pilgrimage. Despite being born with kidney problems that would hinder her during her life, she didn’t let that deter her from living. She attended Kennedy Elementary and graduated from Point Loma High “Hooligans” in 1986. She took courses at San Diego City College and Graduated from Mesa College with a Bachelors Degree in Administrative Assistance. She was the mother of three children: Shameka Washington (deceased), Vincent L. Washington., and Jerry O Stevenson Jr. As a result of her health worsening from her kidneys she left the work force to be a full time mother. Her two boys became the focus of her life. It has been said that a woman can’t raise a man. Patricia showed through the wisdom, instruction and discipline she gave to her boys that statement isn’t true. She wanted them to be stand up, strong black men. She made them go to church, when they didn’t want to, she made them go to school, when they didn’t want to. As a result of her hard work her boys became her walking and talking accomplishments. As time progressed her health worsened and there were several setbacks. Her faith in Almighty God was never shaken. A faith that began when she was a child and only grew and grew. A faith that she would share with anyone. She knew the importance of her testimony and that she was a walking testimony. Patricia would always say “I’m in God’s hands.” With the birth of her first grandson, Jerry “Peanut” Stevenson III, it was like she was given a new breath of life. That same fire she had with her own sons was reignited, She made sure her input was known on every aspect of her grandson’s life. Even at the sunset of her life when the doctors told her that her time was short, the doctors asked “What do you want to live for?” Patricia perked up and responded “My grandson! I wanna see him grow up to be a grown man.” On August 1, 2016 Patricia Smith was called home to be with the Lord. She no longer has to worry about sickness. The 4″11 woman who was a giant of a woman no longer has to fight. She will be forever loved and missed.