Steven L. Smith

Steven LaRue Smith died of a heart attack Friday, October 24, 2014 at his home. He was 58. Steve was born November 6, 1955 in Rock Falls, Illinois, to J’nelle and Donald Smith. The family moved to Memphis when Steve was 6 years old; from that point on Steve wore the tag of Memphian proudly. He leaves to cherish an abundance of memories his wife of 31 years, Mary McCurley Smith; sons Nicholas LaRue Smith (Emily) and Austin Lee Smith; daughter Natalie Kay Smith (Cliff); grandson Ian LaRue Smith; sister Diane Smith Patterson (James); brothers Randy Smith (Susan) and Tony Smith (Vickie); his mother-in-law, Virginia Vierkandt (Bob); sister-in-law Julie Turnmire (Tom); nephews Jason Smith (Joan) and Tucker Turnmire, and nieces Audrey Turnmire and Taylor Smith. Steve graduated from Memphis State University in 1979 with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in History. He began his journalism career in Cleveland, Mississippi, before joining the staff of The Clarion-Ledger newspaper in Jackson, Mississippi. Steve joined The Commercial Appeal in 1986, where he worked until his death. He started at The CA on its main copy desk. In 1988, he transferred to the sports department and was part of the team that resulted in The CA’s sports section being named, in 2002, one of the Top 10 in the country. In 2002, he became a part of the newspaper’s universal copy desk, where he edited articles on various topics and often served as night sports editor. Steve, an avid sports fan, was a “true blue” fan of the Memphis Tigers. He showed his allegiance to the Tigers in his apparel and on his car’s license tag. He rarely missed a game, even if he had to work; oftentimes he could be heard yelling, whooping and hollering at the TV. A Tiger win was a good day. A creature of habit, Steve stayed physically fit at the gym and began most days with a game of basketball against “kids half my age.” At work, after logging on to his computer, he’d get a cup of coffee, a sweet treat and settle in to work. And every night before bed, he enjoyed a nightcap. A connoisseur of movies, he could quote movie lines verbatim, and would toss them out mid-conversation to anyone nearby. A dependable man with a (mostly) quiet nature, he had a quick wit that left those around him in tears from laughter. While everyone who came to know him loved him, Steve’s greatest love was for his family and spending time with them brought him his greatest joy. His wife, Mary, was the love of his life. He was son Nicholas’ best man at his marriage to Emily, and he counted down the days to grandson Ian’s birth. He was looking forward to Ian’s first Halloween. He loved his boys Nicholas and Austin dearly. He was looking forward to baby girl Natalie’s December graduation from Middle Tennessee State University. He would have been front and center when she marched across the stage. Steve’s loving family also included his furkids Wesley, Lucy and Gracie. Wesley’s exploits would make a good book; at least the way Steve told those stories. Memories of Steve the husband, father, brother and friend will be cherished. The family will receive friends at a visitation from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, October 26, 2014 at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Road. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, October 27, 2014, at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 8151 Chimneyrock Blvd., Cordova. The family requests any memorials be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization. “Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again.” William Shakespeare Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.memphisfuneralhome.net Memphis Funeral Home And Memorial Gardens 3700 N. Germantown Rd. 901-725-0100 -