Danny Stevon Smith

Danny Stevon Smith transitioned peacefully in his sleep, at the age of 57, on March 25, 2021. He was employed with AAA Michigan for nearly 30 years. Danny enjoyed great music, great times with friends and had a passion for all things cars and bikes, especially collectibles and vintage versions of both. This love was only superseded by his Love for his family.

Danny Stevon Smith was born on October 9, 1963, in Detroit , Michigan to the union of
the late Grady and Frances L. Smith. He accepted Jesus at a young age and was baptized at Gospel
Temple Baptist Church, in Detroit, Michigan.

Danny was educated in the Detroit Public Schools, graduating from Cass Technical High School in 1981,
with a diploma in Automotive Technology. He may have left Cass Tech in 81’ but CT never left him.
He remained connected to CT and other alumni till his last days. He was further educated at Henry
Ford Community College, earning an Associate Degree in Automotive Technology.

Danny met and married Elona Wilson and together had two children, Dominic Nicole Wilson and Dezi
Stevon Smith. While they lived separate lives, they successfully and were lovingly committed partners
to their family. Danny was a full time and present Dad. He shared a unique and special relationship
with and was very proud of Dominic and Dezi. He advised and supported them as they were making
their place in this world. He was affectionately known as “GranDanny” to Mia and soon Ivy Mae (once
she can talk); and as “GranPa” to Demi. His Granddaughters had his full heart. They each shared
special time and moments with him. One of his most recent joys was meeting and holding Ivy Mae,
also known as “Squeak”, for the first (and only) time.

He took his “Uncle Danny” role seriously, as he counseled, laughed with and was doted on by his many
nieces and nephews, whether they were biological or not. He shared with them and passed on many
of his great loves to them: love of bikes, cars, music, photography and enjoying time with family and
friends.

Next to Danny’s love for his family was his passion for all things Cars and Bikes, good music and time
with friends. His knowledge of bikes, cars and other collectibles was unmatched. As a little boy,
Danny would take things apart and put them back together again. As an adult, he did the same thing
with both cars and bikes. Both professionally and personally, Danny surrounded himself with
cars. When he wasn’t in the field working for AAA Michigan, one might find him in his “Shop” building
bikes or in his “office” building models of his favorite cars before they graduated to the “purple room”.
He also enjoyed being under the hood of cars. Participation and attendance at Car Shows, with his
brother, Carl and his Brother-Friends was a regular pastime. He was the “go-to” for questions about
cars and bikes and had an appreciation for the rare, hot and vintage version of both. Around 2014,
he founded “40 North Riderz”, a bike club with members from throughout metro Detroit and one of
the first “slow roll” bike clubs in the area. Most of the “Riderz” were over 40 during its inception, but
later it was not unusual to see a younger rider join them, like his nephew Carl 2. He supported the
Cass Tech Bicycle Club and had relationships with the owners and staff at local bike shops.
While his first jobs were working alongside his father in his Floor Cleaning business, Smith and Sons,
Inc. and at the Dairy Royal Ice Cream place, he naturally ended up working professionally, around
cars. He started out at the General Motors Technical Center and ultimately, began his career at AAA
Michigan on February 12, 1987. He retired nearly 30 years later, as a Claims Adjuster. Danny was
well liked by those he worked with in the office, and those he interacted with throughout the
community. True to Danny’s character, these cherished relationships extended beyond the job.

Danny never met a stranger and he valued and cultivated his friendships over the years. He remained
connected to childhood friends from Kendall and Doris Streets, from high school and those he added
along the way. Danny lived a full life, touching many with his big personality and amazing “crooked”
smile. He enjoyed meet ups with friends at local spots with great music, like Bakers or passing time
at the Detroit Festivals with his sister, Glauiel and other friends. He lived life on his own terms and
brought his best to it. He was a positive presence for many.

On Thursday, March 25, 2021, Danny peacefully made his transition from labor to reward. He leaves
to cherish his precious memories Elona Smith, his two children: Dominic Nicole Wilson and Dezi
Stevon Smith; three grandchildren: Mia Nicole Spears, Demi Rose Smith and Ivy Mae Pryor; three
sisters: Lynette Knight, Glauiel Smith Crawford (Joe) and Sonji Lynn Revis (John) and two brothers:
Reginald Smith and Carl Jay Smith (Robbi); three Aunties: Gladys Robinson, Sara Lee Thomas and
Tewilla “Tina” Smith; many many nephews, nieces, and cousins; God-Sisters, Pamela Wilbert, Lisa
Jackson Hardman and Alexis Riggins. Danny had friends too numerous to name and some he
considered true Brothers and Sisters.

While many of us feel Danny was called Home too soon. We trust God’s perfect timing and await the
day we see him again. We will miss him dearly and celebrate with gratitude his remarkable life.