Today, we celebrate and honor the life of Mr. Tony Lenard Smith, Jr. On October 1, 1984, with excitement of this first breath, he blessed the world with his presence.  On October 15, 2023, in the comfort of his own home, Tony, 39 years old, quietly departed this life with his final exhale.

Tony , the younger of two children, was the only son born to Tony L. Smith, Sr. and Rosemary Dydell-Smith.  They all are lifelong residents of Kansas City, Missouri.

He was baptized at a young age at This Rock Christian Tabernacle. Tony graduated from Don Bosco High School in 2002.  This is where he met his high school sweetheart, Ina Easley-Smith.

Tony and Ina married on February 14, 2015 and were together a total of 22 years.

He had a presence that commanded respect, whether it was the confidence in his eyes or his sense of humor.  He loved to tell jokes and tease people all the time.  His radiant smile lit up a room.

He had various occupations.  His primary skill was cooking but he specialized in grilling, especially for football games.  He enjoyed spending time with his loving family and some of his closest friends, Anthony Hunter (who preceded him in death), Howard Robinson, Jr. (cousin), and Russell (Roscoe) Powell.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Juanita L. Craddock-Dydell; maternal grandfather, Robert Charles; paternal grandfather, George Pattis; uncles, Maurice (Clara) Dydell, Michael "Mickey" Charles, Daryl Holman, Clarence Hubbard, Tommie Stowers, Sr., Robert Charles Scercy, Samson Dydell, Emmett Dydell, and Tommie Stowers, Sr.; aunts, Linda M. Dydell, Ozell Lewis, and Laura Jackie Pollard.

Tony leaves to cherish his loving memory, his wife, Ina Easley-Smith; parents, Tony and Rosemary Smith, Sr.; paternal grandmother, Alvanora Smith; two sons, Travion and Tony Smith, III; two daughters, Inez Easley and India Smith; three grandchildren, Kahlani, Kamaya and Carreon; one sister, Montoyia (Levernare) Thomas; two nieces, Mariah and Makiah; two nephews, Letrez and Lavon Thomas; one great niece, Talia Thomas; uncles, Richard Smith, Victor Charles, Bernice Stowers, Linda Byrd, Donna (Curtis) Bland, Rita (Howard, Sr.) Robinson, Mary Smith, Roslyn (Holman, Regina (Clarence) Hubbard, Tangerine Smith, LaTasha Roseberry-Smith, Victoria Murray-Dydell; mother-in-law, Vera Easley; sisters-in-law, Tayla Fritz and Patricia Easley; brothers-in-law, Aaron Easley; nieces, Shaviye, Shalaya, Kriseya, Faith, Elysia, and Airran Easley; nephews, Jayden and Cameran Easley, and a host of family and friends.

Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.