Decatur B. Smith
Dec. 25, 1945 - Jan. 27, 2021
SOUTH BEND, IN - Our beloved husband, father, and fun-loving grandfather departed this life after a short illness on January 27, 2021 at the age of 75. Decatur (Bodie) Smith was born December 25, 1945 in Eudora, Arkansas to Willie Mack and Pearl (Holloway) Smith. He later relocated to South Bend, IN with his parents and siblings. He was the third of four children.

He continued his education in South Bend, graduating from Washington High School in 1963 where he was a varsity football and track athlete. As an alumnus, he continued visits to Washington High School knocking on the classroom doors of his children and grandchildren to visit. He was always proud to say there were “three generations of Washington High School Panthers in his family.” After attending trade school, he worked at White Farm Equipment and South Bend Community School Corporation, from which he retired as a Journeyman Plumber/Steamfitter and was a member of the AFSCME Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 172. In his spare time, Decatur loved to watch numerous athletic competitions. He often supported local high school athletic programs and could be found in the stands at School Field under the football “Friday Night Lights” with a bag of popcorn and wearing one of his numerous hats. He was an active softball and basketball player. He played on numerous softball teams with the South Bend Parks Department and his employer's sponsored teams.

He leaves in cherished memory: his wife Beatrice Smith and brother John Robert Smith; children William (Natia) Bryant of Indianapolis, IN, Derrick (Casaundra) Smith of Louisville, KY, Sonya (Kelvin) Wilson of South Bend, IN, Karla (Tommy) Lee of South Bend, Michael Smith of Indianapolis, IN, Gina Graham of Dallas, TX, Sean Smith of Indianapolis, IN, Nicole Foley of South Bend, IN, Valerie Causey of South Bend, IN, and Elder Willie (Anjanette) Rogers of Indianapolis, IN; and sister-in-law Laura Allen of South Bend, IN.

Decatur's life and legacy will be celebrated on Saturday, February 6, 2021 with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. and a Homegoing service at 11:00 a.m. in Cobb Funeral Home, 3525 South Michigan St., South Bend. Interment will follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, South Bend, IN. Masks and social distancing protocols will be observed.
 

02/03/2021 JFC