Federa Emille Smith-Bynum

Federa Emille Smith-Bynum, 73 of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at Dupont Hospital. She was a daughter of Earl and Ruth Hellen (nee. McKillion) Sells, born February 17, 1951 in Prescott, Arkansas.

Federa had a wonderful and full life. She graduated from Gary Roosevelt High School. She went on to graduate and obtained a Master's Degree in Education from Ball State University. She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated.

In Marion, Federa served in the Marion Community School District in several positions. She taught at Clayton Brownlee and Allen Elementary Schools. She served as principal at Lincoln and Justice Middle schools. At McCulloch Middle School she was the Teacher Coordinator/Literacy Coach. She also worked in the Marion Community Schools as a Human Resource Director. Federa was the Director of Head Start and Coordinator for the Marion SYLVAN Learning Center.

She later joined the Fort Wayne Community School District as a Principal for Nebraska and Adams Elementary Schools. She really enjoyed being a principal and in 2013 Federa was awarded the Title of Principal of the Year. She finally retired as a Principal in 2020.

Federa enjoyed working. She was a Sales Associate at JCPenney for several years and a Resource Associate at the Marion Community Public Library.

She met and married her current husband, Mike, after meeting him on a blind date. They enjoyed traveling, attending plays and going to outdoor concerts.

Federa was a faithful member of St. Paul Baptist Church Marion, IN. She assisted the Senior Citizen's at her church in preparing their taxes.

Federa was very Community minded. She was a Board member at the Clarence Faulkner Community Center and served on the Marion Symphony Board as a Board Member and also served on the Carey Services Board.

She leaves to cherish many memories to her husband, Mike; sons, Brandon (Lonica) and Evan (Savannah) Smith; stepdaughters, Regina (Greg) Flowers, DeNardes (Ben) Shafter; stepson, Damian Bynum; twin granddaughters, Aiden & Elle Smith; step-granddaughter, Katelyn (Elshaddi) Melchiorre; step great-grandson, Atlas Melchiorre; sisters, Renee Sells (Maurice) Grant, Jeannie Sells and Valeria Rainey; several nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl & Ruth Sells; stepmother, Shirley Sells; a sister, Carmela Carter and brother, Darrell Rainey.

Funeral Services are 11:00 am Saturday, January 25, 2025 at First Wayne Street United Methodist Church 300 E. Wayne St., Fort Wayne, 46802 with visitation one hour prior. Visitation will also be 4-8pm on Friday, January 24, 2025 at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Foster Park, 6301 Fairfield Ave., Fort Wayne, 46807 where an Omega Omega Memorial Service will begin at 7:00pm. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery.

Fond memories may be shared at www.mccombandsons.com for the family.