Jaynette A Smith

Jaynette (Jaye) Anita Whiten Smith, age 63, passed away at Capri Gardens in Lewis Center on May 13, 2026, at 1:55 a.m., following a lengthy illness due to complications related to Glioblastoma of the brain.

Jaynette was born to James Dock and Mary Lillian Williams Whiten on March 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York. She spent her formative years in Toledo, Ohio, where her mother still resides. She was an only child, who often spent time in Michigan with her grandparents and extended family. She attended and graduated from Saint Ursula’s Academy in 1981, also in Toledo. After a brief stay at the Ohio State University, where she studied Accounting and Finance, she then transferred to Columbus State Community College, where she obtained her Registered Nurse (RN) degree in 1988. She then went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Mount Carmel College of Nursing in 2017. The early years of her career were spent at Riverside Methodist Hospital, but she later moved to Mount Carmel Saint Ann’s Hospital in 1995 for the remainder of her career as an ICU (Intensive Care Unit) nurse. During her time as a nurse at Mount Carmel Saint Ann’s, she went on to receive an award for nursing excellence and Mount Carmel system nurse of the year, to recognize her excellent abilities as a nurse.

She met her husband, Keith Ronald Smith, M.D., at Riverside Methodist Hospital when he was an intern in Emergency Medicine at the Ohio State University. They began dating a short time later, and eventually married on May 16, 1992, at Meadow Park Church of God in Columbus, Ohio. The early years of their marriage were spent in Lancaster, Ohio, but they moved to their present residence in Lewis Center, Ohio, in March of 1998. During this time, all of her children were born in short succession.

Devoted to her children, she spent much of her time supporting them by attending many activities, such as sporting events, dance, music performances, Cub Scouts/Girl Scouts, church activities, gymnastics, etc. In her spare time, she loved to entertain by cooking for those she loved, especially over the holidays. Having a bubbly, outgoing personality, she attracted people from all walks of life. Holding a strong faith, she was a member of Genoa Baptist Church, participating in the choir, as well as being on the administrative team for Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) at Karl Road Baptist Church.

Keith Ronald, age 68, was married to Jaynette for what would have been 34 years on Saturday, May 16th. They enjoyed traveling the world together, with her favorite locations being Bora Bora, French Polynesia, and Santorini, Greece. He resides in their family home of 28 years in Lewis Center, Ohio.

Amanda Nicole, age 26, was recently married to Benjamin McClure and now resides in Delaware, Ohio. Moriah Ashley, age 25, is currently serving as a JET English teacher in Kagoshima, Japan. Preston Elliott, age 23, resides with his father in Lewis Center, Ohio. In addition, she has a special affection for the family dogs, Missie, Chandler, and Phoebe. She is preceded in death by her father, James Dock in 1975, when she was 12 years old.

A special thanks to Genoa Baptist Church – the pastoral staff, choir, and church members – who extended a Christ-like love and support during this time of grief. We would like to especially recognize the contributions of her sisters in the Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), her coworkers at the hospital, all who brought meals and/or flowers, and those who have offered spiritual encouragement.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.” ~John 3:16

Three words that describe Jaynette’s life would be Faith, family, and love.