Steven "Stevie" Arthur Smith

Where do we really begin? Well, he was born Steven Arthur Smith on June 19,1952 at Multnomah County Hospital in Portland, Oregon to his parents Arthur Thomas and Dolores Madeline James. Stevie was handsome from the very beginning and had a signature smile that would light up a room. He could have been the face of Colgate - they missed that opportunity!

Stevie, being the eldest of 6 children, took his role of big brother very seriously. He wouldn't let anyone mess with us, because even with his even-keeled demeanor Stevie could scrap. He went to Elliott and Highland Grade School and later finished his schooling and graduated from Jefferson High School. Stevie was an entrepreneur at an early age, selling candy for big Bobby Joe with his own crew and selling night crawlers to the neighborhood fisherman. You might wake up and find little holes in your yard, yep! Stevie strikes again! He loved sports: basketball, neighborhood tackle football, and baseball. Let's not forget his Cassius Clay moment when he boxed down at Knott Street and has a golden glove trophy and many others still on display at his mother's house in the family award cabinet. Stevie had a love for many things, trains, dogs, cars, bikes, but then one thing he not only loved but could eat... Chicken! Man, oh man, he could eat some chicken!

Some of our fondest memories with Stevie were the Friday and Saturday night talent shows at his grandparent's house on Cleveland. We would practice all week and when those double doors that separated the dining room and living room opened that was your big chance to perform to house a full of people! Those were the days! With Stevie being the eldest grandchildren, then Mickey, Deborah, Robie, Kevie, Kenny (Boolocka), Darrell (Booper) and Ricky, along with his two aunts, Jackie and Donna, we were unstoppable. We all had those vroom bikes and roller derby skates, and we would act like we were on TV. Stevie called himself little Mike Gannon who skated on the Bombers if you all remember that!

As Stevie got older, he accomplished many merits in his life and was quite smart. His working career was varied from Armour meat packing, the post office, WinCo, and Steinfeld's where he came home smelling like a big jar of pickle juice. Once he was no longer driving, he became a walker. You might catch him walking all the way from MLK and 6th to 22nd and Killingsworth. You could find him sitting at Cornerstone Church which he loved to attend from time to time. He would be so sharp! Everyone knew Stevie could dress - matching suits, shoes and hats which he had a love for. Stevie was really particular about his dress at an early age. He never wanted a speck of dirt to get on him. He wouldn't let his mom just dust it off; he had to have a whole new outfit put on. Spoiled! Stevie accumulated many nicknames: Estevon, Iceberg, Papill, Popps, and last but not least, just plain Ice because he was what the family called too cold, too cold!

Even when Stevie's life took a turn from his ALS disease, he still never complained but rolled with the punches. His spirit was always good even when things were going bad. As a family, we loved on him and included him in all holiday activities. We will always remember his annual birthday gathering which many attended. Every Christmas we'd visit his care home and sing Christmas carols and bear gifts and food for him and the other residents. It was a great time!

Stevie leaves to remember him: his beloved three children, Steven "Dee" (Michelle), Kim, and Adrienne; his siblings who were always by his side, Deborah, Robin, Kevin (Sherrie) and Lisa (Ron); his 3 aunts who have always been there for us all, Aunt Doris, Aunt Jackie and Aunt Donna; and a host, and I mean a HOST of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. We can't name them all, but you know Stevie and his siblings love you all!

Those gone on before him: parents, Arthur & Dolores James; grandparents, Arthur and Fentrice Smith; brother, Mickey Smith; aunts, Dee Dee, Adelaide and Wizzie; and uncle, Wade (Poppa).

Ice - you will be missed but always loved!