Ms. Shamaya "Sha" Smith, 30, of Gulfport, Mississippi departed this life, Friday, December 20, 2019.  Sha was a lifelong Mississippi Gulf Coast resident. She is a graduate of St. John High School and Franciscan University. Sha was a member of St Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church and committed her life to the service of others through the love of Christ.

Beautiful, charming, hilarious, intelligent and most of all, altruistic are simply words, seemingly deficient,  that attempt to describe the essence of Sha. Her awareness of this present world and the world to come was beyond her years. Sha lived a life of encouragement and service to others. Her mere presence illuminated any given room and the purity of heart would touch you before her words or hands would. Sha's life was the embodiment of servanthood.

Sha very well understood the power of people and the strength that was birthed from our genuine connections thereof. Many of her friends recall knowing that she would be a lifelong friend only after moments of meeting her. Sha embraced her faith walk with the highest regard and in her own unique way made it so easy to love and be loved. She cherished the simple things in life like the autumn season, water and music. Her strength and determination to be an example for others has left and indelible mark on the hearts of many. In one of her weekly reflections, Sha's prayer was,

"I simply want to share the fragrance of Christ with others."

As her friends and family reflect on the short, yet beautiful life of Sha, they are comforted and find peace in the sweet smelling fragrance that she leaves behind. So it is with a smile that we echo an excerpt of one of her favorite songs,

"Baby, baby

The stars are shining for you

And just like me I'm sure that they adore you."