Ms. La'Keshia Annette Smith, 47, was born July 23, 1972, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Debra A. Smith and Phillip Harris. After a longstanding battle with Lupus and heart complications, LaKeshia was called to her Heavenly Home with Christ our Lord and Savior on October 3, 2019, at St. Luke's Hospice House. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, James Smith; maternal great-grandmother, Frances Smiley; maternal great-grandfather, James Hawkins; and first cousin, Keith Smith.

La'Keshia attended Tri-City Christian School in Independence, Missouri and completed both her GED and CNA license at Penn Valley Community College, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was in the process of pursuing her LPN until she was diagnosed with Lupus. She was also employed at St. Luke's Hospital for many years in addition to other medical and skilled nursing facilities. La'Keshia was a passionate advocate for Lupus and Heart Failure and actively participated in discussion groups.

As a dedicated member of Grace Baptist Church since childhood, La'Keshia's unyielding faith and love for the Lord was and will forever remain strong and unconditional. As a devoted and loving granddaughter, not a day would go by without her talking to and praying with her Big Mama several times a day. The loves of her life include the Lord, her sons Garrick (Gary) and Trey, her mother, her Big Mama, her siblings, family and friends.

Everyone knows that La'Keshia was a woman with many hobbies, talents, and interests. She enjoyed cooking, taking photos, all sorts of decorating, anything that involved hair and beauty, reading, family and social gatherings, being around children, music and not to mention shopping! She never passed up a good deal or bargain, nor would she let others. Thrift stores and estate and garage sales were a few of her chosen venues. She was definitely a social butterfly and the life of the party! She was always the boss, "Ms. Keshia Boss!"

She leaves to cherish her memories: her sons, Garrick Murphy, Jr. and Trey Murphy; mother, Debra Smith; father, Phillip Harris; brothers, Armand Smith, Shannon Harris, Martez McDaniel, and Ian Eason; maternal grandmother, Mae E. Smith; three maternal aunts, Wanda Bowman, Betty Ross, and Ruth Smith; four maternal uncles, James Smith, Clifford Smith, Samuel Smith, and John Smith; five paternal aunts, Janice, Gretchen, and Lula Harris, Twalot Gilbert, and Cynthia Smith; three paternal uncles, Jimmy, Dornell, and Tommy Harris; the father who raised her, Armand Smalls; sisters, Rochelle Shelton and Jocelyn Ramey; special friends, Vatina Gillespie, Trina Hooker, and Cheryl Williams; an entire host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, extended family and friends.

Funeral services Saturday, October 19, 11:00 a.m. at Grace Baptist Church. Interment XII Gates Memorial Gardens. Visitation 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the church. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website.