Treye Jenkins Smith

Treye Jenkins Smith was born in Aurora, CO, June 28, 1988 to Karen Marie Jenkins (Smith) and Thurman Smith, both of Cincinnati, OH. Treye was their only child. Before Treye was born, we began seeking a name for him because naming is a powerful concept in African, African American and Biblical traditions. The Bible talks about the importance of a good name. Looking through numerous books of baby names, none fit who we thought our son was until his mother came across an African American male writer in Essence magazine by the name of Trey Ellis (who ironically looked just like Treye as he got older and his dad). Trey Ellis, is an American novelist, and screenwriter. In 1988, the author wrote his debut novel, Platitudes. Much later in life, Trey Ellis actually wrote our son, and Treye wrote back. Both Trey and Treye agreed they looked alike. As she read about this author in 1988, and other black artists in that Essence magazine issue, she was drawn to that name. Shortly afterwards, Jenkins was chosen as Treye’s middle name.

As a baby, Treye was surrounded by lots of colorful stuffed animals that his dad had gotten for him. His baby carrier and his baby crib were all lined with animated characters, along with the walls of his room. We purchased books and read to him. One day, his mother decided to let him look through the books by himself, and to her surprise, he never ripped any of the pages out. Even later as a teenager and an adult, Treye continued his love for reading all kinds of books: fiction, nonfiction, self-improvement and business. In 1989, Treye and his mother moved back to her hometown in Cincinnati for help raising him as a single mother. His grandparents were ecstatic about having their first and only grandchild and showering him with love and lots of Christmas toys. His grandfather, Herbert Jenkins gave him the nickname “TJ.”

When Treye was about four years old, his mother began to notice some artistic drawing ability, and she immediately began encouraging and developing this talent by buying him various types of art supplies. They attended local art show exhibits, and artist openings where he was introduced to local artists. He even worked with a host of local artists who were working on murals at a local elementary school. Treye attended art classes given by Robert O’Neal in his Over the Rhine studio, and hung out at the loft art studio of abstract artist and University of Cincinnati professor, Tarrence Corbin. The local artists loved Treye and recognized his budding gift and eye for art. At Glendale Elementary School, he won numerous art contests beginning at the age of six years old. He was also enrolled in art programs at Miami University, and the Art Academy of Cincinnati where he worked with professional artists and continued to demonstrate a gift for art.

When Treye was 12, his mom signed him up to be a volunteer summer camp worker for elementary school kids. Each day he walked about 15-20 minutes to Forest Park Elementary. He was good working with the kids, and he enjoyed it.

As a young teenager, he was required to attend and participate in church activities such as Sunday School, and other church activities at Mt Zion Church. Treye accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized at Mt Zion Baptist Church where he had a host of life-long friends. Together, with his friends, they participated in church plays, Easter speeches, and youth activities. Treye also worked with the young kids at the church, and he enjoyed that. When Treye was baptized, his father and the Smith family came to witness and celebrate Treye. With his dad, Treye went on vacations, visited his father who resided in Atlanta, and spent lots of time with the Smith family. He was particularly close to his first cousins, Dwayne and Siobhan McNear.

Outside of church, Treye was involved in other local programs and activities such as the Black Data Processor Association’s web program, golfing, Media Art Works, YMCA afterschool programs and a summer college bridge program at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY. His mother always asked Treye if he liked the programs that he was in, and he was always real honest. While some he liked and some he didn’t like, she never let him quit any of them.

Treye graduated from Princeton High School. He was a good student. His favorite subjects were History, African American studies and art. He was proud when he got an A in African American studies. He also got B’s in algebra math classes. Treye attended Kentucky State University for one year. Afterwards, he worked for UPS and other warehouse inventory processing positions up to his death. Treye faced challenges in life, but he always maintained a hustle and grind work ethic and his love for art by consistently improving and working on his art craft. He often shared this love for art and how to draw and paint with peers and with his two children, Sean David Smith (13) and his beautiful, yet feisty, daughter, Aniyah Lucille Prybal (4). Treye’s children were the love of his life; he took them everywhere, spoiled them selflessly and loved spending money and time with them.

The last couple of years, Treye began having bigger vision for his life and growing passion for entrepreneurship and tattooing. With his two childhood friends, James and Randy Washington whom he met at Mrs. Mooney’s Home Daycare as preschoolers, the three of them recently began a business bidding on and buying storage units to flip its contents. They were very successful at this venture. Treye and his partners found lots of good treasures and forged a very tight business relationship and even closer personal bond up until his early death. Treye cared a lot about all his friends, and they cared even more for him. His friends spent memorable time together with him and his family. Many family members and friends fondly talk about how Treye spent time with them up until recently doing what he did best, talking, laughing, coming up with ideas for making money and making jokes. Treye will be sorely missed by his family and friends. He was very special and dearly loved. We will always love him!

Left to cherish and maintain his memories and legacy are: his mother, Karen Jenkins (Smith) and father, Thurman Smith; his children, Sean David Smith (Chelsea) and Aniyah Lucille Prybal (Ashley); his Aunt Beverly Collier (Jenkins) and cousin, Tyler Collier, Aunt Gloria Halbert, Jerry Smith (deceased), Aunt Deborah Halbert Davis, Valerie Halbert Powell, Tiffany Halbert, Kevin Davis, Siobhan McNear, Dwayne McNear and Adrian Smith; and a host of cousins.

THE FAMILY IS REQUESTING LOVE OFFERINGS IN LIEU OF FLOWERS.  THANK YOU!

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