Yvonne Edna "Tootsie" Smith

Mrs. Yvonne Edna Smith, 85, of Youngstown, transitioned from this life to eternal peace on Friday, February 19, 2026 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Smith, lovingly known as "Tootsie", was born June 19, 1940 in Pittsburgh, PA, a daughter of Robert H. and Katie C. Lee Nelson. She was a 1958 graduate of Westinghouse High School and attended Business School in her area. Yvonne had worked with the Social Security Administration as an administrative assistant for over 20 years, retiring in 1985. She attended Grace Evangelistic Temple. Her passion was as a Mary Kay Consultant where she had served for over 30 years, serving her community and recruiting other consultants. Yvonne enjoyed bowling, mall walking, traveling, cooking, collecting Beanie Babies, and especially being with her beloved family. She also was an enthusiastic Cleveland Cavaliers and Lebron James fan.

She leaves to mourn her passing, but to celebrate her life and legacy, three children, Darren (Cynthia) Smith of Sacramento, CA, Paula Smith-Wylie of Youngstown and Sharron (Frank) Saunders of Clarksburg, MD; six grandchildren; a great grandchild; her brother, Edward Nelson of Orlando, FL; and a host of family and friends.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by thirteen siblings, Robert H. Nelson Jr. who was one of the Tuskegee Airman, Paul , Wilbur, Carl, Calvin, Anthony, Horace, Shirlee, Elayne, Katherine, Leonora, Gwendolyn, and Mary.

Visitation will be Friday, March 6, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Grace Evangelistic Temple, 2214 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 12:00 noon.

Ministry of comfort, love and dignity entrusted to the L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.