STEPHEN SMITH

STEPHEN D. SMITH 04/08/1960 - 08/19/2025 Stephen Daniel Smith, 65, of Independence, Mo. passed away peacefully at home on August 19, 2025. He was born on April 8, 1960 in Washington, D.C., the second of four children of Warren Webster Smith and Mary Louise Simms Smith. As a young man, Steve attended Central Assembly of God in Independence with his family. He loved the outdoors and had many fond memories of campouts and time spent with friends. A passionate music lover, Steve played drums in a southern rock band, sharing his talent with the community. He treasured annual family visits to West Virginia, where he made cherished memories with loved ones. He was known to be a practical joker with a great sense of humor. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1978 and attended Penn Valley Community College to further his education. He began his career at Hallmark Cards Corporate in Kansas City, Mo., where he spent several years. He later worked for the City of Independence Water Pollution Control Department, where he remained until retirement. Steve is survived by sister Karen Maureen Johnson and her husband Steven of McKinney, Texas; sister Constance Elisabeth Wendleton and her husband Chris of Blue Springs, Mo.; nephew Jordan Durrell and his wife Olivia; and nieces Kori Finlay and her husband David; Kati Smith; Emily Ellis and her late husband John; Tori Durrell; and Madison Johnson. He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Allen Smith, and his parents, Warren Webster Smith and Mary Louise Simms Smith. A private Celebration of Life will be held for family and close friends at Mount Washington Cemetery in Independence.