Obituary of LaTisha Curtrise Boyd Smith

LaTisha Curtrise Boyd Smith was born on September 5, 1975, to Curtis Allen Boyd and Patricia

Yvonne Boyd in Detroit, Michigan. From an early age, it was clear that LaTisha had a deep

passion for music and ministry, gifts that would shape her life's journey.

Faith and Family

LaTisha gave her life to Christ as a teenager at Deliverance Temple Church of God in Christ

under the leadership of Pastor W.L. Smith. She was deeply rooted in her faith and was a

dedicated member of several churches throughout her life, including GIC Church of God in

Christ, Mount Elliot Church of God in Christ, Latter Rain Christian Fellowship in Hartford,

Evangelistic Center Church of God in Christ, Gethsemane Center of Hope, and most recently,

Connect Church Plano under Pastors Ken and Dana Bennett.

Her spiritual journey was always intertwined with her love for family. Before reaching

adulthood, she welcomed her oldest daughter, Ariel Arionna Yvonne Campbell, in 1993 while

living with her godmother, Linda Chambers. In 1997, she gave birth to her youngest daughter,

Emerald Daniel Shané Campbell, embracing motherhood with unwavering love and devotion.

On June 5, 2004, LaTisha married Courtney Eugene Smith, and together they built a life centered

around faith, music, and ministry. They were dedicated members of Lake Como Church of God

in Christ in Fort Worth, Texas, where they served under her father-in-law, Superintendent Jimmy

E. Smith. Through the highs and lows of life, Courtney stood by LaTisha's side, embodying the

vows they exchanged—"for better or for worse, in sickness and in health."

A Life of Music and Ministry

LaTisha's musical gift was undeniable. She began singing at the age of three alongside her sister,

Bridget, at the Holy Convocation of the Missouri Western Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction

under the late Bishop C.N. Rucker. By five years old, she was performing with her family group,

The Boyd Family, which included her mother Patricia, sister Bridget, and brother Curtis, who

played the drums.

As she grew, LaTisha remained dedicated to using her voice for the glory of God. She was a

lifelong member of Wright's Temple Church of God in Christ in Columbia, Missouri, where she

traveled with her grandfather, the late Dr. Frank L. Wright Jr. Over the years, she sang in several

gospel groups, including Higher Ground with her sister Bridget and cousin Padgit Baker, as well

as T.T. and T. (Tammy, Tisha, and Tonya) under the late Dawna Ward's direction.

Her talent extended beyond church walls. LaTisha shared the stage with legendary gospel artists

such as Kim Burrell, Twinkie Clark, Fred Hammond, Tremaine Hawkins, Kirk Franklin, Myron

Williams, and The Clark Sisters. She was not only a powerhouse vocalist but also a gifted

songwriter and vocal arranger, leaving a lasting impact on the gospel music industry.

Her passion for music was deeply woven into her family life. She, alongside her husband and

daughters, formed a musical group known as The Fam, releasing her first single, God Is Able.

Her voice was her gift—one that inspired, encouraged, and uplifted everyone who had the

privilege of hearing it.

Education and Career

LaTisha was educated in the Kansas City, Missouri, School District and later attended Wright

Business School in Kansas City. She worked as a clerk at Jackson County Juvenile Court and

also contributed to her family's catering business, Pat-N-Pans, assisting her mother until she

moved to Texas.

A Legacy of Love

Beyond her music, LaTisha was a nurturing mother, a proud grandmother, a devoted friend, and

a sister to all who encountered her. She was all about FAMILY—cherishing every moment spent

with her loved ones and always ensuring that those around her felt valued and seen. Her presence

was a source of warmth, her laughter was infectious, and her love was boundless. Her legacy

lives on in the songs she wrote, the voices she harmonized with, and the lives she touched with

her music and ministry.

Cherished Memories and Legacy

LaTisha was preceded in death by her grandparents, Dr. Frank L. Wright Sr. and Bernice Wright,

Cecil and Josephine Boyd, her godmother Sister Reed, and several aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her loving husband, Courtney E. Smith of Frisco, Texas; parents, Curtis A.

Boyd of Detroit, Michigan, and Patricia Y. Boyd of Kansas City, Kansas; parents-in-law, Jimmy

and Linda Smith of Fort Worth, Texas; daughters, Ariel Campbell (Jordan Campbell) of

Princeton, Texas, and Emerald Campbell (Joshua Campbell Sr.) of Denton, Texas; grandchildren,

Joshua M. Campbell Jr., Onyx L. Campbell, and Prince I.L. Campbell; siblings, Bridget S.

Hawkins of Kansas City, Kansas, Curtis J. Boyd (Lisa Henderson-Boyd) of Houston, Texas, Jaya

Boyd of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Bria Boyd of Detroit, Michigan; brother-in-law, Jeffery Smith of

Fort Worth, Texas; as well as a host of godparents, god-siblings, nieces, nephews, godchildren,

extended family, and dear friends who will forever cherish her memory.

Though she is no longer physically with us, LaTisha's spirit lives on in the music she created, the

love she shared, and the faith she embodied. She will be deeply missed, but her voice—her

gift—will echo through generations to come.

HER VOICE… HER GIFT!