From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — For nearly four weeks, an east Alabama family has been waiting, hoping and praying after a yard statue fell on a child on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. The family is now mourning the loss of the eight-year-old boy they describe as loveable and joyful.
David Leon Smith, of Anniston, died on Sunday, June 14, at Children’s of Alabama. For weeks, community members came out as prayer warriors. A vigil was hosted by Smith’s school, Walter Welborn Elementary School. The school said an angel yard statue had fallen on the boy, crushing his body. He had been fighting for his life since.
Smith would’ve been going into the third grade next year and he would’ve been in the gifted program. Smith’s obituary explained the kind of kid he was.
“David was a loveable, joyful, precious boy and he loved everyone,” the obituary states. “He loved helping others and was his mother’s world. Everyone that knew him loved him and he was always smiling. He loved riding his bike, swimming, and going to the fair. His favorite things to do were building Legos, drawing and reading. He loved his pets very much. He was a smart, intelligent, straight-A student. He was going to be in the gifted program in 3rd grade at Wellborn Elementary School. He is his mother’s Angel now.”
The elementary school posted on Facebook about the child’s passing.
“Prayers for the family of David Smith and our community,” the post read. “We will miss this sweet boy.”
The visitation for Smith will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home. A funeral service will be at the funeral home at 1 p.m. on Thursday, with Rev. Harold Payne officiating.