Aziah Smith

A vibrant, fun-loving, and kindhearted young girl, Aziah Smith was a blessing to everyone she met. She was a talented girl who was passionate about dance, and she loved sharing her gifts with those around her. Completely devoted to her family, Aziah was gentle and nurturing, and she loved helping out in the care of young children both in her home and in her recent work outside of the home. Taken from her loved ones without warning, Aziah leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her friends and loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.

In the year 1997 we were blessed with the birth of our loving daughter Aziah Elizabeth Smith on June 22, 1997, in Noblesville, Indiana. In 2001 Aziah, her mother and brother TyCri moved to Columbia City where her grandpa was a pastor in the community. It was at the young age of four that Aziahs mother got her involved in dance. Aziah spent countless hours of her young life at the dance studio each week making friends and becoming a part of a Dance Family that she would never forget. With her love for dance, she enjoyed watching the dance reality show, Dance Moms. Along with her family, Aziah attended her grandpas church, New Hope Wesleyan Church, and at the age of 10 she accepted Jesus into her heart and was baptized. She also had enjoyed taking part in their youth group activities.

Although dance comprised much of Aziahs time, she was busy with other things as well. She attended local schools in Columbia City where she played volleyball in middle school. Music was something else that she loved, and she enjoyed making music in her fathers studio. Aziah shared her love for music with both her father and her siblings. One of her favorite artists was Michael Jackson - so much so that she named her chihuahua, MJ, in his honor. Chris Brown, Demi Lovato, and One Direction were her favorites as well. Aziah graduated from Columbia City High School in 2015 and had been attending Ivy Tech College in pursuit of a career in nursing, like her mother. Along with being a member of the dairy queen family she also had recently started a job as a nanny. With a kind and generous heart, Aziah took an interest to working with special needs children. In addition, she helped her mother raise Lucas, Chase, and Brooklyn in their home.

All who knew Aziah Smith would agree that there was no one she met who wasnt incredibly blessed. She was kindhearted and genuine with the most beautiful smile that lit up the room. Aziah was sensitive to others and very observant to what was going on around her. Although she was taken from her loved ones much too soon, she made a significant impact in the lives of everyone she met. Deeply loved, Aziah will be forever missed.

Aziah E. Smith, 18, of Columbia City, Indiana, died on Saturday morning, February 6, 2016, in Marion. Aziahs family includes her mother, Gina Faucett of Columbia City; father, Earnest A. Smith, III of Windfall; grandparents, Rev. Barry Faucett of Columbia City and Juanita Smith of Kentucky; brothers, TyCri J. Smith of Columbia City, Earnest Antonio Smith, IV of Marion, Aaron Smith of South Bend, Lucas Harber and Chase Harber, both of Columbia City; sister, Brooklyn Harber of Columbia City; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Aziah was preceded in death by her grandmother, Wanda Faucett; grandfather, Earnest A. Smith II; aunt, Cynthia Smith; and uncle, Kevin Evans.

Due to a series of unfortunate events, she could not have her graduation open house this past July, so please join her family and friends for a celebration of life open house from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, February 11, 2016, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Pastor Jason Tash officiating. Burial will follow at South Park Annex Cemetery, Columbia City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her family, I.C.O. DeMoney-Grimes. To send Aziahs family online condolences, visit www.demoneygrimes.com