William Dubois

Smither

William DuBois Smither (a.k.a. "Duke"), 79, was a native of Frankfort Kentucky, resided in Richmond, Virginia. He was born on September 30. 1944. He was the son of Will Andrew Smither, a preacher and the pastor of Corinthian Baptist Church, in Frankfort Kentucky and Mary Stinson Smither, a deaconess. Duke was a devoted and caring husband of 58 years to his wife, Catherine Sharon Smither, and to this union were born three children, Kenyatta, Tanya Michelle, and Douglass. He valued family and made family a priority in whatever decision he made. He loved his children and honored his wife. He has been quoted as saying, "…My wife—Cathy to some, Catherine to others—Sharon, to me—to God, perhaps, An Angel…This Lady—this Angel-sacrificed any and all career aspirations many years ago, for the sake of her family. She was an exemplary "care giver" to her mother…She helped put me through evening college. She's been a devoted wife, set great examples as a mother—and now, herself a grandmother. Yet, I observed, in caring for her mother and acting on her behalf—that if she chose—she could have easily become an attorney, a judge, a nurse, a business owner, a preacher…a "teacher"…she is my wife. So, my thanks to God…to bring into my life…my wife. Sharon, I love you. Precious Lord, "I thank you…"

William Smither started his elementary school experience in Frankfort, Kentucky, he continued his Jr High and High School years in Delaware. After graduating high school in Frankfort, Kentucky at the age of 16, William Smither joined the military. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran (Vietnam Era, Cuban Blockade, Cuban Missile Crisis). He was the first African American Insurance Agent in Virginia for Allstate Insurance. In 2008 he retired as a Sr. Investigator (Corporate Security) for Dominion Energy.

He attended Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), majoring in Journalism, he was a sports reporter for VCU's newspaper and sports & feature writer for the Richmond Afro-American Newspaper. Duke, with the help of his devoted wife, in raising three kids, working rotating shifts, and attending evening college, he later graduated with a B.S. Degree in Organizational Management from St. Paul's College (Lawrenceville, Virginia). He returned to VCU for postgraduate studies in Criminal Justice Administration. Independent studies in African and African American History led to "Backstreet Djeli's Blog", the history-related journal he created, and duties as contributing writer for "Blackpast.org"

William "Duke" Smither became heavily involved in faith-based community theater productions as an actor, playwright and director for plays influenced by Afrocentric perspectives and in the capacity of socio-political commentary. He also had a passion for storytelling monologues he often called the "…Missing Pages' from our classroom history books, within the unique stories, legacies and contributions of our ancestors. His debut novel, Backroads to Bethlehem: Odysseys of the Maroon Warrior…, was the first installment of the trilogy of Western Hemispheric marronage and resistance to European colonialism and slavery. Passages (s) to Saint-Domingue: Jakobe's Journey…is the trilogy's second part. He was a true example of a warrior, informing the doctors, nurses, and the medical professionals during his last few weeks on Earth in the hospital, his desire was to complete his 3rd book. On March 7, 2024 his book was completed.

On June 9, 2023, Duke was a Hall of Fame Inductee (Frankfort, Kentucky Independent Schools Hall of Fame/Lifetime achievements).

At St. Peter Baptist Church, he was a 22+ year member of the Male Chorus (and past president), member of Christian Arts/Cultural Ministries (as actor, playwright and director, plus "Acts of Compassion" (actor), drama component of Henrico's "Compassion Ministries", directed by Rev. Shirley Jordan.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Barbara Smither Collins (Sherman E. Collins, Sr.), Mary Smither Gladden (Isom G. Gladden, Jr.), Billy Smither; granddaughter, Brittani Lynne Smither; his cousins whom he was raised with like brothers and sisters, Maria Collins, Cerdan Collins, Theresa Collins Moss and Sherman Esten Collins, Jr. Surviving are his wife , Catherine Sharon Smither; sons, Kenyatta D. Smither, Sr. (Kalandra) and Douglass D. Smither (LaTanya); daughter, Tanya Michelle Smither; god-daughter, Sharon Michelle Price; grandchildren, Ashley Danielle Smither, Kenyatta (KJ) Smither, Jr., Kendra Smither, Kameron Smither and Brock Smither; great granddaughter, Olivia; nephew, Roderick Collins; niece, Celina Bean (George), and a host of other cousins, relatives and friends to include his devoted friends, Alexander "Skip" Corbert, Edward Davis and Ted Kuester.

Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, March 15, 2024 at St. Peter Baptist Church, 2040 Mountain Road. Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor. Interment 11 a.m. Monday, March 18 at Virginia Veterans Cemetery, Amelia. Per the family's request, there will be no viewing for Duke.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of William DuBois Smither to the American Lung Association. www.lung.org

William Smither often expressed his gratitude to the doctors, nurses, medical staff, and other healthcare professionals associated with Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center (Mechanicsville, VA) and the Mechanicsville Medical Center. Their outstanding care and support is appreciated.