Obituary of Taurean Smith

In Loving Memory of Taurean Smith Sunrise: May 28, 1983 — Sunset: May 9, 2026 We gather here today not only to mourn the loss of a beloved son, brother, twin, uncle, and friend, but to celebrate the extraordinary light that was Taurean Smith. His was a life lived with warmth, laughter, unwavering faith, and a love so generous it touched every person fortunate enough to know him. Though our hearts ache in his absence, we hold tightly to the memories he left behind and to the certainty that he knew, deeply and completely, that he was loved. A Life Rooted in Faith Above all else, Taurean loved God. His faith was not performative; it was the quiet, steady anchor of his life. It shaped how he treated people, how he showed up for his family, and how he faced every season, easy or hard. His belief reminded those around him that there is something greater than any of us, and that grace is always near. In his passing, we trust that the God he loved so faithfully has welcomed him home. Pea Wee and Sweet Pea Taurean entered this world alongside his twin sister, Tyra “Kyle-Husband.” The two of them were inseparable from their very first breath. Together they were known by the tender nicknames "Pea Wee" and "Sweet Pea," names given with love and tenderness in those earliest, most vulnerable days. When no one else could calm their cries, it was their great aunt Lola now resting in glory, who held them close to her bosom and soothed their restless hearts. That image of being held, comforted, and cherished stayed with Taurean throughout his life. He carried it forward in the way he loved others. At just 22 months old, in 1985, Taurean and Tyra were welcomed with open arms into the home of Ollie [1st cousin to Gwendolyn “Penny” Cunningham, who was the birth mother to Taurean and Tyra] and Richard Smith's family, who chose them, loved them, and raised them as their own in Colorado. Alongside their sisters Erica “Edmund-Husband” and Ebony “Russell Husband”, raised among a family knit together. Taurean never took that gift of belonging for granted. Family Was Everything Taurean's heart had room enough for everyone. He held close the memory of his biological mother, Gwendolyn "Penny" Cunningham, also now at rest. He cherished the bonds he shared with his biological sisters, Daphne Fleming, English and Keisha Watson, and his brother Sean Fleming, who preceded him in death. These connections meant the world to him, a testament to his belief that family in all its forms is sacred. To his nieces and nephews, Taurean was more than an uncle; he was a presence, a protector, a source of laughter and unconditional love. He leaves behind nephews Damon, Brandon, Levi, Sean Jr., Jaden, Dremon, Kaleb, and Ian, and nieces Zion, Chaunae, Mya, Madison and Olivia, as well as greatnieces and greatnephews who will grow up hearing stories about the man who made every room brighter simply by walking into it. He also leaves behind a wealth of aunts, uncles, and cousins across the Smith, Cunningham, McNair, and Gregory families, each carrying a piece of him in their hearts. The Man He Was Taurean worked as a Forklift Operator and took pride in his work. When Taurean wasn't working or spending time with family, you might find him at the water's edge, fishing rod in hand, at peace with the world around him. Fishing was more than a hobby; it was how he exhaled. It was patience, stillness, and joy all wrapped into one quiet morning. And if there was a Los Angeles Raiders game on, you already knew where he'd be and how loud things were about to get. His loyalty to his team was fierce, unwavering, and deeply him. Until We Meet Again Taurean Smith was lovable in the truest sense of that word, not because he tried to be, but because he simply was. He brought joy wherever he went. He loved without condition. He lived with purpose. And he left us far too soon. To the Smith, Cunningham, Fleming English, Watson, McNair, and Gregory families: we weep together today, and we heal together in the days ahead. Hold onto the stories. Hold onto the laughter.