Yvonne Edna "Tootsie" Smith

Mrs. Yvonne Edna Nelson Smith, 85, of Youngstown, Ohio, transitioned from this life to eternal peace on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at her home, in the presence of her loving family. She faced Alzheimer’s disease with quiet grace and dignity, upheld by their constant love and care.

Born on June 19, 1940, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Robert H. and Katie C. Lee Nelson, Yvonne—affectionately known as “Tootsie”—was a 1958 graduate of Westinghouse High School and later attended business school in the Pittsburgh area.

Yvonne was united in marriage to A. Lance Smith in 1961, and together they celebrated 50 years of devoted marriage before his passing in 2011. Their union was blessed with three children: Darren Lance Smith, Paula Lynnette Smith-Wylie, and Sharron Michelle Smith Saunders.

Yvonne built a dedicated career with the Social Security Administration, working as an administrative assistant for over 20 years before retiring in 1985. Beyond her professional career, she enjoyed many years as a Mary Kay Consultant.

She and Lance raised their family in Washington, D.C., Landover, Maryland, Denver, Colorado, and Pittsburgh before making Youngstown their home for more than 40 years. In her later years, she also spent cherished time living with her children in Clarksburg, Maryland and Sacramento, California.

Yvonne enjoyed bowling, mall walking, traveling, cooking and especially dancing and singing Motown tunes. She was also an enthusiastic basketball fan, especially the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James. Most of all, Yvonne treasured spending time with her beloved family. Affectionately known as “Grams” in her later years, she embraced grandmotherhood with pride and tenderness. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Lance; her thirteen siblings: Lenora Prout; Tuskegee Airman Robert H. Nelson Jr.; Wilbur Nelson; Carl Nelson; Calvin Nelson; Katherine Dalton; Shirlee Carter; Anthony Nelson; Paul Nelson; Elayne Washington; Gwendolyn Johnson; Horace Nelson; and Mary Brown.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Darren (Cynthia) Smith of Sacramento; Paula Smith-Wylie of Youngstown; and Sharron (Frank “Jimmy”) Saunders of Clarksburg. She is also lovingly remembered by Eric Wylie, former son-in-law and father of two granddaughters.

Her legacy continues through her six grandchildren, Brittany Wylie of Dayton, Ohio; Shanaz Thomas-Smith of Sacramento; Sydney Wylie of Youngstown; Kennedy Smith of Los Angeles; Kendall Saunders and Savannah Saunders of Clarksburg; her great-granddaughter, Aurora Wylie of Dayton; her brother, Edward Earl Nelson of Kissimmee, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

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Visitation will be held Friday, March 6, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Grace Evangelistic Temple, 2214 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 12:00 noon.

Ministry of comfort, love, and dignity has been entrusted to L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.

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