Deena Alberta Smith Blaylock was born in Gulfport, Mississippi August 6, 1949, to Mr. Samuel H. Smith, Jr. and Mrs. Maude C. Smith. She was reared in the United Methodist faith and was a member of Riley Chapel United Methodist. Her professional career first as a Teller at Hancock Bank and then with in the telecommunications (South Central Bell & AT&T) arena, extended roughly 25 years. Monday February 7, 2022, Deena entered peacefully into eternal rest.

Deena was educated within the Gulfport School District and graduated from 33rd Avenue High School- Class of 1967. After her high school graduation, Deena continued her education at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 1968. Deena was such a loving soul. Her compassion for people was simply extraordinary. To know Deena was to love her.

We are reminded by the word of God that in order to obtain a friend(s), one must first show themselves friendly. There is absolutely no denying that Deena met the mark. Her sweet and humble spirit made it so easy to accept and become her friend. Her caring and nurturing personality made you feel at ease and there was nothing that you could not talk to her about; she was the essence of being nonjudgmental. There was a spirit of freedom that rested on Deena. In fact, her family and friends laugh at how much she moved around- and she even kept track of the places she lived. Let's see... Jackson, MS- 1980, Birmingham, AL- 1984, Mobile, AL- 1986, Atlanta, GA- 1992, Gulfport, MS-1995, Selma, AL- 2005, and finally she returned home to the Mississippi Gulf Coast- 2007 and remained until her earthly departure.

The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted... a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;... a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; ... a time of war, and a time of peace. Deena's family and close friends have experienced great laughter and great sorrow, we've gained a great deal and we've lost a great deal, we've seen war and we've seen peace. And though we will miss Deena sorely, we give thanks to God for EVERY season, for this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Samuel H. Smith, Jr. and Mrs. Maude C. Smith; her daughter, Charlotte Denise Smith; a niece, Almaudia Tate Thorn, and a brother-in-law, William Tate.

Deena leaves to cherish her loving memories her husband, Roual Edwin "Eddie" Blaylock; two brothers, Samuel (Gloria) D. Smith, Sr.- Gulfport, MS, Richard Smith- Gulfport, MS; three sisters, Sheila Tate-, Melba (Kenneth) Evans, JoAnn Smith- all of Gulfport, MS; three step grandchildren, Charmice, Shontrell, and Michael; other relatives and close friends!