Christopher Bernard Smith

Christopher Bernard Smith, loving husband, passionate daddy, businessman, music maker, man of God, and former Longhorn was drafted by the ultimate coach, his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on December 29, 2023. He was unstoppable in life. He is now unstoppable in death. He gave Lymphoma a run for its money, and it’s likely sorry it ever met Chris Smith.

The world welcomed the force that was Chris Smith on June 30, 1977, in Jefferson, Texas. He quickly became enthralled with making music, when at a young age he asked his mom for a synthesizer keyboard. It turned into big dreams, as most things did for Chris, and he longed to follow in the footsteps of the greats — Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, and the like. But a church in the woods of East Texas would have to do until college. Football quickly became his second passion. He made his way to All-American Running Back and a full scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin where he played alongside the likes of Ricky Williams, Casey Hampton, and Quentin Jammer. At UT, he continued to follow his musical path, earning a B.A. in Audio Engineering and Jazz Composition. He was incredibly proud to become the first in his immediate family to graduate from college.

College brought much more than just football and music. Chris found love. First in Jesus as his Savior in 1996 while attending St. James Missionary Baptist Church in East Austin. Then, in 1999, he met Lori, his wife of 22 years, at the UT School of Music. It was NOT love at first sight, however. In fact, neither was actually attracted to the other. But God had other plans. The two quickly formed a friendship as she helped him heal after a career-ending ACL injury at the beginning of his senior year. It was their shared depth of faith and their interest in the unconventional that drew them to each other. They married on June 2, 2001.

Never one to do things without thought, Chris took marriage and parenting the most serious of all his endeavors, next to his faith. From buying real estate, to remodeling homes, to earning a Master’s Degree in order to provide more than he had, he never shied away from his role as head of the household. His children, Kameen (16), Ava (13), and Elijah (11), would know the Fruit of the Spirit, especially self control and be “coached” from day one by a daddy who loved them with all his heart. His family always came first, and he established a family creed that stated “You are special and important,” “God has given us a lot, we won’t accept a little,” and “I will make a way, not quitting or whining.” Chris lived by his creed every single day, even in sickness. He pursued every passion he had wholeheartedly, including his job as a Client Success Director at Experian, smoking meat, maintaining his yard, and working out. And he always looked fly doing it.

His legacy of love and faith is left in the hearts and lives of his family still here on earth. He leaves behind his wife and three children; his daddy and mama, Moses and Marva Kelly of Kilgore; brother Jamille Kelly and wife Tonya of Leander; brother Malcolm Kelly and fiancé Alexis of Ft. Worth; step brother Chris Kelly of Henderson; and step sister Kimmely Kelly of Henderson; along with numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. He is preceded in death by his grandaddy, Alphonso Smith, and grandmama, Dorothy (Dot) Smith.

A visitation for Christopher will be held Wednesday, January 3, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, TX 78628. A funeral service will occur Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Shoreline Church | North Campus, 15201 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78728. Burial will be private for his closest family members.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating toward Chris’ children’s college fund at https://gofund.me/c2950b96