Paul D. Smith

Paul Dale Smith passed away on May 26, 2024 at the age of 65 from a short battle with bone cancer. Paul was born on April 23, 1959 in Winslow, AZ. He graduated from Winslow High School in 1978, he was an outstanding student and prolific athlete who excelled in baseball and football. Paul received a scholarship to play baseball at Mesa Community College and then at BYU. At BYU he experienced a career-ending injury that ended his collegiate and promising professional baseball career. After the passing of his father, he needed to be closer to his mother so he transferred to Northern Arizona University where he joined the football team as a walk-on and quickly became a rising star. After graduation, he was drafted into the newly formed USFL by the Oakland Invaders. Playing football was not Paul’s true love, so he decided to forego football and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah to start working with his older brother Bennie Jr. in his construction company (Beneco). As the company grew and prospered, Paul moved to Sacramento, CA to manage a large company project, where he met his wife, Tanya, who was in the USAF. Paul and Tanya married in 1994 and moved back to SLC and then on to Phoenix, AZ where they started their own construction business. Their business quickly prospered because of Paul’s unique business insight and selling ability. Their company won the Minority Enterprise Development Small Business Company of the year in 2000 for the construction division. They were also awarded the largest construction contract in the state of Arizona to a minority business in the state's history. In 2002 Paul and his family moved to Maryland where he continued to build and grow his company. Paul quickly became involved in youth football and that is where his love for coaching and mentoring youth and later young men flourished. Coach Paul dedicated all of his free time to coaching with the Columbia Ravens football organization and helped build the program to a power-house association. Paul was a very spiritual and emotional man who loved God and his family so deeply. Paul was predeceased by his father, Bennie Smith Sr., and his mother, Jessie May Woods, his brothers, Larry Smith, Bennie Jr. (wife and Bobby Smith (wife Tisha). He is survived by his wife, Tanya (Redcross); his daughters, Jordan and Bayli Smith, his sons Aeneas Smith and Lavain Scruggs. His brothers, Artis Smith (wife Terry), Mark Smith (wife Taneka), sisters-in-law, Christina Harding, Tracy Redcross (Will), Erica Redcross (Jay), brothers-in-law, Rodney Redcross, and a host of nephews, nieces, and cousins. A “Celebration of Life & Memorial Service” will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 10:00 am., at The Peoples Community Baptist Church, 31 Norwood Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20905. Flowers (Family graciously prefers plants) can be sent to the church or Paul’s home at 547 Donaldson Ave, Severn, MD 21144. While we lost our most beloved husband and dad, many have lost a good friend, coach and loved one in him. He has been a rock to many, a master at sarcastic humor and witty timing to others, and even a pain in the neck, once you were marked as important to him, he'd be by your side if you needed him. There was so much more to him than just husband/dad, though to us that was his greatest role - he was also a friend, a coworker, and colleague, a cousin, brother, stand-in paternal figure to the fatherless, a businessman, the list goes on and on. Coach Paul will be missed immensely, but the impact of his legacy will live on through the countless friendships he forged with his players and their families and through the love he showed and fostered to so many. We invite you all to share pictures or memories at https://www.marchltclaurel.com/obituaries/Paul-Smith-130/#!/TributeWall. It was his wish that we laugh and reminisce, and smile together during this difficult time. Although Paul lost his battle against cancer. His family wishes to extend a special thanks to the dedicated staff of the George Washington University Hospital, especially Rowena “Ro” Picar and Drs. Melancon and Neppalli and the ICU unit at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie. We also want to express special gratitude and a sincere “thank you” to Mr. Jafu Delane, who gave Paul a kidney two years ago. Paul had a relationship with many clergy personnel in MD/DC metro area. We are grateful for all the love and support offered by Pastor Haywood A. Robinson, III, Minister Yvonne Robinson-Davis, Deacon Ty McKinney, and Dr. Jeffery Johnson of The People’s Community Baptist Church. Pastor Sherman Forte of The Word Church (AZ), Rev. Dr. Tyrone P. Jones, IV and Reverend Dr. Elizabeth Sapp-Jones of First Baptist Church of Gilford, Pastors Tim and Robyn Seay of Crossover Church, Revered Dr. Emil Thomas, Pastor Louis B Jones II. We thank you for nurturing his soul, praying for us throughout this journey, and embracing us as family. Words cannot express how deeply we appreciate the prayers and condolences we have received from our family and friends. Your expressions of love are a beautiful reflection of Paul’s character, sincerity, perseverance, and optimism. We are grateful to all of you who nurtured his spirit and brought joy to his life. Thank you all for sharing your fond memories. We appreciate all you have done to lift our heads and relieve our grief. With heartfelt thanks, The Family of Paul Dale Smith

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Paul D. Smith

April 23, 1959 - May 26, 2024