Tanisha Nicole Smith

As a young child Tanisha loved school and prided herself in having nearly perfect attendance. In 1998 while in high school Tanisha met her future husband, Darrell Smith. They were married in 2005 and welcomed their first son Lavern Smith in 2008. They welcomed their second son Merlin Smith in 2010. After the arrival of her first son Tanisha decided to leave her CNA job and become a stay-at-home mom. As with everything, she took it to the extreme, not just caring for her home and family, but also homeschooling her two sons into high school. Vern and Merlin flourished academically thanks to her watchful eye and diligent nature. They have both become amazing young men and while it may be partly due to their personalities, the majority of it came from the love and guidance received from their mother.

In 2013, at the age of 30 Tanisha was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. She underwent a double mastectomy, radiation and chemo which led to her going into remission. In 2018 her cancer returned this time as stage four and had spread to other organs. Being the fighter she is, while continuing chemo, Tanisha also continued to care for her home and family. She attended her boy’s musical performances, made crafts and baked cookies for loved ones, hosted family, and friends, traveled, and continued to homeschool her boys.

Tanisha is survived by her husband Darrell Smith, her two sons, Vern and Merlin Smith, her mother Kathy Grays, and her brother Tyrone Banks. She is also survived by her in-laws Tom and Joyce Smith, and her sister in-law Michelle Smith (Joe Shimpfky) who she held dear, her niece, nephew and a host of family and friends. Tanisha is proceeded in death by her father, Tyrone West.

Tanisha will be remembered by so many as being genuine and one of the sweetest people you could ever meet. She will be deeply missed, but her impact on the people around her will live forever.