Dwayne S. Smith, son of the late Donald S. Smith and Pastor Montine E. Young was born Saturday March 29, 1969, in Gainesville, Georgia. Dwayne started his educational path in the Atlanta Public School system, as a student at West Manor and Adamsville elementary schools. He later attended Frederick Douglass High school, graduating class of 1987 where he held top honors as a member of Top 10, “Who’s Who”, Honor society, and Dean’s List. He took his passion to learn and love for numbers to further his education at Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dwayne was clever and full to the brim with knowledge gained through life experiences.
At an early age, he professed his faith in Jesus Christ. Dwayne was led by the Holy Spirit and called to ministry in October 1998 when he was ordained. He held a host of different positions in ministry, serving as co-pastor and mentor to his brothers and sisters in Christ. Dwayne’s gift to show the world the love of God through his teachings and mentorship impacted everyone around him.
He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Altoise (DeShun) Smith on November 16, 2009, and for the past eight years they have resided in Wichita, Kansas. The two love birds treasured the life they created, traveling together, and raising their daughters, Hannah, and Haleigh. Dwayne was truly a “Girl Dad” as he also raised his two older daughters, Miracll’e and Brittany. Forever proud of his children, touting them as “his greatest accomplishments.”
Dwayne loved watching sports with his wife, spending time at the beach, traveling with his Smith girls, getting dressed in his dapper ensembles, talking about the goodness of Christ, listening to his oldies, and teaching his daughters how to be successful. He departed this life on Saturday August 12, 2023, and his family dreams of him singing the sweetest tune through the heavenly golden gates. He will be remembered for all the heart he shared with his family and friends. He truly loved each of them – and if you knew him, you knew it.
He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandmothers and grandfathers, his father Donald S. Smith, and brother Andre Smith. Dwayne leaves loving memories to his devoted wife Altoise; his daughters MSgt Miracll’e (London) Hayes, Brittany N. Trammell-Smith, Esq., Hannah Smith, and Haleigh Smith. His mother, Pastor Montine (Johnny) Young; mother-in-love, Ms. Helen Anderson; father-in-love, William Charles Johnson. Grandchildren; Micll’e, Kennedy, Jayden, Taylor, Jasten, and August. Siblings; Sequoyah Jarrells, Donta (Nicole) Young, Leshay Smith, Myron (Lucy) Williams, Cepeda Ware, and Tyrone Smith. A host of aunts, uncles, cousins, special nieces, Douglass High class of 1987, and best friend, Mr. Tony Adams.
In true Dwayne fashion, we celebrate life today, certainly no pomp and circumstance. We honor who he was and all that he brought to the world. Let’s choose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service, like Christ modeled for us.
The Celebration of Life for Mr. Smith will be held Friday, August 25th at the Gainesville Civic Center at the hour of 11am. Professional Services Entrusted to Wimberly Funeral Home.
