Jarred Jevon Smith, 26, of Erie, made his peaceful transition from this life to the celestial shores of Heaven on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, following a period of illness.

He was born December 13, 1980, in Erie to Evanuel Tate and Ceola Holloway Smith.

He was educated in the Erie School system, a graduate of Strong Vincent, where he starred on the football and basketball teams. He furthered his education at Penn State University, where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

During his time at Penn State, he was an active member of the Gospel Choir. Jarred confessed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was a former member of the Community Missionary Baptist Church. His hobbies included a love for football, especially the Chicago Bears and Penn State. He loved to watch college basketball and other sporting events, as well as being a fan of the Utah Jazz.

He was preceded in death by his sister Natasha Smith, his grandparents, America Holloway, Guy Holloway and Henry Lee Tate Sr., his aunts, Mary Ann Holloway, Leola McKee, Lauretta Tate-Williams, and his uncle James Lane.

Jarred leaves to cherish his memory and honor his legacy, his loving mother, Ceola Smith (Willie McCullum) of Erie, his father, Evanuel Tate, of Erie, his five sisters, CeAnya Smith (Jeff Jones) Crystal Smith, Jacqueline Brown (Gary) Ebony Tate-Pruzenski (Robert) and Hatisha Tate all of Erie; his eight brothers, Dwight Smith Jr., (Zundra), Germal Smith, Evanuel Tate, Jr., Oesya Evans (Gloria) LaKevius Tate and Roshard Austin Tate, all of Erie, Calvin Harper of Chicago, Ill., and Antwon Cooper of Fla., his paternal Grandmother, Pecola Tate of Erie, a close friend, Tameka Noble of Erie, and a good friend, John Blanks also of Erie. He also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Friends are invited to share with the family on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 from 5:00 â?" 9:00 p.m. at the First Good Samaritan A.M.E. Zion Church, 3209 Pennsylvania Ave. and attend a funeral service on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church with Rev. Fletcher Hudson officiating.

Internment will follow in the Erie Cemetery. Final arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Schoolfield Funeral Home 2926 Pine Ave. Erie.

Published in the Erie Times-News from 3/22/2007 - 3/26/2007.