Patricia Gaye Smart

Patricia Gaye Smart Was born on October 18th, 1948. Her parents were Daniel and Narcissus Smart (Smith). Patricia passed away on October 21st, 2026, following two strokes: March 11th and June 12th of 2026. Patricia was an educator for Akron Public Schools from 1971 until 1983. Her Spanish speaking skills earned Patricia a district sponsored trip to Mexico City, Mexico before her senior year in high school. It would last for two weeks in August of 1965.

She then graduated from East High School in the Class of 1966. Patricia graduated from the University of Akron in June 1971. Patricia moved to Dallas, Texas in July of 1983. While there, she earned two master’s Degrees at Texas Women’s University from the College of Education and Human Ecology. Her areas of concentration were Library and Informational Science and Administration.

Patricia employed those skills in Texas, Minnesota, Virginia, and Maryland. She ended up retiring in Hagerstown, Maryland. In October of 2025, she ended up moving back to her hometown of Akron. Her nephew, Jason D. Pickett coordinated the logistics of her two trips back home.

From 1994 to 2026, Patricia authored and co-authored different books. These books mainly focus on children’s short stories and poetry. Patricia was an established member of the Black Storytellers of Western Maryland. Her editorial skills along with three other writers contributed to the 2022, 2023 Classic Griots’ Storybook. Patricia used the griot name of Me-Momma Maat for her storytelling work.

Patricia moved into her Akron home on December 19th, 2025. She kept contact with Phillips Chapel Christian Church Methodist Episcopal Church while living out of state. Patricia had her first stroke on March 11th, 2026, and her second on June 12, 2026. Patricia’s niece Aira Patricia Pickett was a stellar back-up afterwork caretaker for her “Aunt Pat” as well as Patricia’s sister, Diane.

Patricia was preceded in death by her mother Narcissus P. (Smith) Smart, father Daniel L. Smart, niece Kimberly Danielle Deadwyler, sister Jerilyn Smart Deadwyler, niece Lesa R. Somerville, sister Lynda Smart Somerville, brothers-in-law Bruce M. Somerville and Mirone D. Pickett. Patricia is survived by her sister Diane E. Smart-Pickett, nephews Brian D. Somerville (Pam), Steven B. Somerville, John L. Deadwyler and Jason D. Pickett. Patricia’s great nephews are Robert “R.B.” Somerville (and family), Terrance Somerville (Hauna and family) and great nephew and super-helper Grayson A. Pickett-Johnson and his mother; niece Aira Patricia Pickett. She is also survived by brother-in-law John T. Deadwyler.

Special thanks are extended to Akron City Hospital (Summa) and Health care Associates and her immediate family. Services will be held on Saturday, November 7th, 2026, starting at 11 am at Phillips Chapel C.M.E. Church located at 413 Iroquois Ave Akron, Ohio 44305. Eulogy will take place by Rev. Dr. Sheree Winn. Cremation has taken place.

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