Rodney Michael Smith

October 26, 1966 - September 17, 2016

Rodney Michael Smith, formerly of South Bend, Indiana completed his life's journey on Saturday, September 17, 2016. Born October 26, 1966 in South Bend, Indiana to Willie Mack Smith and Cynthia Johnson Smith-Smitherman. He received Christ at an early age and was baptized at Pilgrim Baptist Church in South Bend, Indiana. He remained a devout Christian until the very end of his life. In October 2015, Rodney married Wallis "SeSe" Berry, Executive Chef at Gilbert Senior Center, Gilbert, Arizona. The Smiths' were to celebrate their first wedding anniversary on October 24, 2016. He was a graduate of Clay High School, South Bend, Indiana and attended Shaw University, Raleigh NC.

Heeding the call from his ancestral culinary roots, Rodney enrolled at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu, School of Culinary Arts, Scottsdale Arizona where he earned a degree, with honors, in the Culinary Arts. Rodney followed in the footsteps of four generations of men in his family who loved to cook. These men were either well known Chefs or stellar cooks in cities in the mid-west. Rodney's great-grandfather, affectionally known as the Creole Wolf, created a highly renowned, secret BBQ sauce and rub. Rodney perfected his great-grandfather's secret sauce and created sauces of his own that became well known at restaurants where Rodney worked.

Ever seeking to perfect and hone his culinary skills, Rodney became a Sous Chef, and later Head Chef at notable exclusive country clubs and dinner restaurants throughout the Valley of the Sun. His creative talent for devising highly regarded recipes made him a highly sought after chef in the Valley. While only employed for a very short few months, at Special Moments Catering, Tempe AZ, Rodney, the managers and employees, developed a special relationship. The family appreciates their unwavering support during the time of Rodney's medical health challenges.

Prior to his employment with Special Moments Catering, Rodney created a food catering business that became known as "The Chef Genie, LLC". His culinary services and food truck, displaying the logo of a Chef, holding and rubbing an oil lamp, was requested at various special, high profiled events and private parties around the city.

Rodney's smile, his good humor jokes, and an always warm greeting, are what people who met him remember most. He was loved by hundreds of people who prayed for his recovery daily. This gave rise to his spirit as he fought the good fight against cancer. Even in his illness and until the very end, Rodney's jovial spirit, and good sense of humor, displayed nothing but love for his family, his dear friends and the flood of good Samaritans' that came to support him. Rodney was an avid fan of Notre Dame Football, but most of all, he got a kick out of seeing the smiles of approval, on peoples' faces, after they eat his food!

His memory is cherished by his wife, Wallis Berry, his mother Cynthia and father William Smitherman, Chandler, AZ, his grandmother Lyda D. Johnson, Mesa, AZ, his daughters, Miquaela and Ranijiah Smith, South Bend, IN, Jala and Kaela Berry, Chandler, AZ, Lenisha Connors, Indianapolis, IN, family of sisters, Shari Mays, Crystal and Lisa Smitherman, Indianapolis IN, grandson Karsen, South Bend, IN, aunt Loretta King, Mesa AZ, uncles, Decatur and John Smith of South Bend, IN, childhood cousins, Sheila Woods of Miami, FL, Sheryl McDonald, Charlotte, NC, Serena Randolph-King, Chandler, AZ, William "Dron" Johnson, Andre Thomas, Phoenix AZ, Tom McKnight, Alabama, Sierra Williams, New York, and very close friends, Elijah Blakes, Donna, Charles, and Christina Foster, Lisa Tate, Sonia Phillips and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, many close friends and family members too numerous to name.

Rodney M. Smith's remains will be cremated, and a "Celebration of his Life" will be hosted by close friends, Earsel Montgomery and Christopher Williams. The Celebration of his Life will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2016, from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the San Cierra Apartment Clubhouse, 2400 N. Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85225. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations and expressions of care be sent to his widow and family at www.gofundme.com/rodneymsmith

07/18/2025 EJS

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