Aron D Smith

Aron Diane Smith, daughter of the late Naomi Patterson and James Smith, was born on March 12, 1956 in Chestereld SC. She was raised and nurtured by her mother and father in love “Pops” Charlie Patterson Jr. She was called home to glory on July 11, 2022.

“Diane” as she was affectionately called by the family, spent her early years growing up in New York City before moving as a young teen with her parents and siblings to Baltimore, Maryland. She was the second born of 9 children and loved her sisters and brothers dearly. Diane loved family so much. She was the one who would attend all of the family reunions no matter if they were near or far. Everyone knew who to call if you wanted to know any and everything about the family’s history. Diane was always traveling over the summer months down south, to Philly, and to New York to see Gama and all her Jackson Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, she couldn’t leave without stopping by Uncle Jack’s and Aunt Dot’s or Uncle Eugene’s and Aunt Shirley’s to see the rest of the Mcfarlan cousins. You could not be a member of our family and not know how to play cards and I mean play them well which Diane mastered at a young age.

Diane attended Lombard Middle and later graduated from her beloved Lake Clifton High School in 1974. It was there that she became the class president and earned from her classmates the NickName “Smitty” which most of us all know her by today. Smitty was such a people’s person she would hang out with Tina, Sonya, and Carolyn Low. When you say one of them you usually saw them all. The 900 Block of Rutland and all of east Baltimore were her stomping grounds and she would go all over checking on people or visiting them to just catch up. Smitty worked from the age of 16 on, attended Coppin State College until 1979 and then in 1981 she joined the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) family where she worked for well over 20 years as a Bus Driver before having to retire due to being injured on the job. Smitty, Wanda, Peggy, Hoogie, Winnie, Teresa and her original crew of friends who she all introduced at some point to one-another went to every MTA, Post Oce, Maryland State Department of Social Services or Baltimore City Employees event that was given year after year. Smitty knew everybody by name young and old as she just loved to be around people and never stayed still for long. If it was a celebration of any kind, funeral, repast etc. most knew Smitty would be there, always ready to assist in any way she could. Everyone knew when Smitty was calling it was to inform you of something important about the neighborhood. If you were having a baby it was known that Smitty would be calling with a name, we know this to be true as most if not all of her nieces, nephews and their children were all named by her.

In 1977 Smitty gave birth to her rst son Rashad who was the apple of her eye. She would take him and all his cousins to the circus and all the amusement parks. Her baby Brother Jerry, Nieces and Nephews knew that when school was out all they had to do was get their funds together from their parents and Smitty would be taking them on the road for sure. In 1983 Smitty met the love of her life, Humphrey ”JT“ Cash and in 1984 they welcomed her second son, Lamar. In 1990 Smitty gave birth to her nal child Quntae. You couldn’t tell her nothing about her babies she loved them dearly and gave it her all in being the best mother and grandmother she could. Smitty was a daughter like no other she modeled the true meaning of honoring her mother and father. She checked on them every day, and when they were no longer able to get around she was there on que to do store runs and the rest of the month run that her and “Pops” would take to get money orders for the household bills. She stayed by his side after her mother passed until her health would no longer allow.

Smitty accepted Christ at a young age. Growing up with a Grandmother who was a Pastor didn’t make church much of an option. Later in life Smitty joined New David Baptist Church and served the ministry that she loved so much until her health no longer allowed. Smitty played a very important part in raising her 3 grands and her oldest granddaughter lived with her until the very end. Aron (Smitty) was preceded in death by her son Rashad; sisters Merlon (De-Lois), Cynthia (Neicy); Brothers Norman, Calvin (Cook) and Carlton (Andy). She leaves to cherish her memory her Pops Charlie Patterson Jr.; Her children Lamar and Quntae; sister Shirley (Lu Lu); brothers William (Fatty) and Jerry; grandchildren, Latayah, Lamar and De’Annah; several nieces, nephews, cousins, godson Kenny, Along with many other relatives and friends.