Roderick Le'Man Smith

In the divine order of God's plan, Roderick LeMan Smith, better known as

"Rod, was called to transcend from the physical world and to enter the realm of eternal life on February 27, 2024, at 11:39 A.M., at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas. Rod was born August 29, 1971, on England Air Force Base in Alexandria, Louisiana to father, Billie Ray Smith, and mother, Jannifer "SunshineReggae" Bell Graham.

Rod was baptized and received the Holy Ghost in November 1983 at First United Pentecostal Church in Killeen, Texas. He attended Killeen High School for his freshmen through junior years, and graduated from high school in Germany after transitioning during his senior year due to his father being in the United States Army. After graduating from high school, Roderick joined the United States Air Force and served for 12 years before receiving an honorable discharge. Rod received multiple accolades while in the Air Force to include: the AF Outstanding Unit Award with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, the AF Good Conduct Medal with 3 Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Service Medal with 1 Service Star, the Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, the AF Overseas Ribbon Long with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, and the AF Longevity Service Award with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters.

Roderick loved football and was a true fan of the New Orleans Saints. At an early age, he shared his mother's love of listening to old school Rhythm & Blues music from the 70s. He was very knowledgeable in information technology and computer operations security systems. And, he prided himself on being a great father and husband as well as a servant of his Lord Jesus Christ. Rod willingly chose to donate his organs, to provide the ultimate gift of Life to others.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 14 years, Nadine Smith; children, Kiana Marie Smith, age 18; Ryan James Smith, age 15; Desean Smith, age 13; and Kayla Nicole Smith, age 11, all of Killeen, Texas; father, Billie Ray Smith and stepmother, Erma Jean Smith, both of Killeen, Texas; mother-in-law, Bernadette Gummel and father-in-law, Klaus Gummel, both of Germany; paternal sibling Tina Marie Smith of Harker Heights, Texas; paternal aunts Myrtis Levon Boss, Joyce Marie Hamilton (Mathew), Bettye Faye Medlock, and Cathy Levon Thompson, all of Alexandria, Louisiana; paternal uncles Lionel Smith, Donald Smith, Ronald Smith, William Foster Smith (Glenda Brown), and Micheal Wayne Smith all of Alexandria, Louisiana; paternal aunt Mary Elaine Thomas (Micheal) of Shreveport, Louisiana; paternal uncle Steven Dwayne Smith of Angola, Louisiana; and paternal great aunt Ruth Battles Cooper of Houston, lexas. Rod was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Robert Smith and Fannie Battles Smith and paternal uncle Robert Lewis Smith, all of Alexandria, Louisiana.

Roderick leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Jannifer Bell Graham, of Nashville, Tennessee; maternal Stepfather Orlando Pender, Jr; maternal siblings, Jalonda Holman, Orlando Pender III, (Courtney Banks), Apryll Pender, and Briana Cooper, all of Nashville, Tennessee; maternal aunts, Constance Faye Chrishon, Brenda Graham, Regina Gail Graham, and Gwendolyn Renee Graham, all of Alexandria, Louisiana; maternal uncle, Michael (Judy) Chrishon, of Silver Springs, MD; and maternal uncle, Gordon Graham, Jr., of Alexandria, Louisiana. Rod was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Thelma and Gordon Graham; maternal uncles, Leonard Ray Chrishon, Billy Chrishon, and Roy Chrishon; maternal aunt, Barabara Ann Bady; and maternal cousins, Jeffrey and Fidel Bady, all of Alexandra Louisiana.

Roderick also leaves to cherish his memory a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Roderick "Rod" Le Man Smith is no longer physically here, but he leaves behind the sound of his beating heart to live eternally in the heart of his dear ones.

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