Stephen Gary Smith, 68 years old of Ozark Alabama, passed peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 18, 2025.
Stephen was born in Kinston, North Carolina on July 5, 1957 to Frank and Ida Drucille Owens Smith. He moved to Dothan, Alabama in 1960 where he lived and attended school until 1968 when the family moved to Toms River, New Jersey. He attended Tom’s River High School North through his junior year and returned to graduate from Dothan High School in 1976. Upon graduation, he worked for Southeast Alabama Medical Center in security and later as a respiratory technician. He moved to Orlando, FL where he lived for many years. He worked for Rosie O’Grady’s/Church Street Station as a singing waiter and stilt walker, and later for Mears Transportation Group where he engaged and served tourists from throughout the world. He earned his degree in accounting from Florida Polytechnic University and worked as an accounting coordinator for Kenton Smith Advertising & Public Relations, and later as an accountant for the Wyndham Hotel with posts in Orlando, Atlanta and Indianapolis. His career also included a stint for Jeld-Wenn in Central Florida and in Ozark Al. Prior to his retirement in 2022, he worked briefly for Walmart in Ozark. In his earlier years, Steve was actively engaged in community theatre with leading roles in several musicals. He loved music, singing and playing the piano. He also loved his cats and was affectionately known as “the catfather” to Thor, Dusty, Jill, Trouble, Vader and Bridger.
Steven was preceded in death by his parents; sister Brenda Marsh (Phillip) and brother Michael Smith of Dothan.
His living siblings include Frank Larry Smith (Joyce) and Sandy Burnett of UT; Kenneth Smith (Wanda) of FL; and Debra Hayes (Roysce) of Ozark. Steve has many beloved nieces and nephews including Craig Smith, Amy Laurilla, Frank Davis, Kevin Smith, Brittany Hayes, Scott Marsh, Brian Marsh, Jeffry Marsh, Slade Marsh all of the greater Dothan area; Wendy Smith of VA; Tyler Hayes of NY; Chelsea Cook of CO; Terrell Burnett of UT; Julie Nagai-Burt of NV; Kenzi Burnett of PA; Jason Nye of OH; Jennifer Lipsey of TX; Kyle Smith of FL; Ashley Ellsworth of NC; Ammon Hayes of WA; along with many more relatives in the Dothan/Ozark area and from throughout the country.
The family extends grateful appreciation to friends for their prayers, encouragement and loving support, along with the outstanding doctors, caregivers and expert medical team at SE Health including Dr. Joshua Bentley and staff, and the outstanding nursing team of the Neuro Critical Care unit who demonstrated great care and compassion for Steve in his final few weeks following his hemorrhagic stroke.
The family will host a celebration of life in January of 2026 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Ozark.
