Devon William LaMarr Smiley

July 1st, 1998 - November 1st, 2015

Devon's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Devon here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

Devo you will forever be a part of our family...our son, brother, friend, team mate, roll model and "lab" friend. You have touched our family in so many different ways and we thank God we had you in our lives for the time we did. Look over us all as we try to heal from losing you.
Trevor, Missy, Dri and Trenton...We wrap our arms around you and offer our love and support. Lean on your friends and let us help you through this nightmare. We LOVE you Smiley family!!!

The Hiatt Household

Trevor and family, the news of your loss has left me rather shaken and heart-broken. As a father, brother and son, I cannot fathom the magnitude of the grief you all must be feeling during this difficult time.

When I coached JYL, I saw Devo frequently but not so much the last few years. When I did see him, he was always smiling and a very polite and respectful young man. He comes from a great and highly respected family and everyone that knew him knew he was a good kid; he was a reflection of his parents and his Savior.

It is hard to understand how at only 17 his work here on earth was finished, but we know that God's ways are above our ways. The life that he lived will live on in the lives that he touched; he will always be with you. Devo touched hundreds if not thousands of lives in and around our community and the effect of that will be exponential. BJ Palmer, a chiropractic pioneer said "You never know how far reaching something you think, say or do today, will affect the lives of millions tomorrow." I believe that Devo's legacy is that he had that kind of impact on those he touched!

From what I have heard about Devo and how he touched so many in such a deep way, it seems to me that the words the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy are rather fitting: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day;"(2Timothy 4:7-8). For believers, to be absent from the body is to be present with Christ; I pray that you find peace in knowing that Devo is with the Lord.

My family and I, along with the rest of the community are heart-broken for you all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless and keep you and your family and may you have the strength to lean on Him in this time of need.

Kyle McKamey & Family

Trevor, Melissa and family,
The first time I met Trevor years ago, our son was participating in a youth basketball tournament in Covert. The first thing I noticed was that smile and thought wow this guy has the perfect last name. Well that infectious smile carried on to your wonderful son Devon, who wore it so proudly and perfectly with his incredible outgoing personality! His smile will always be in the hearts of so many people he touched in our community in his short time with us! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this most difficult of times.

Charlie, Cheryl, Justin & Tyler Hamlin

To the family of adorable Angel Child Devon...After reading of his wonderfulness in the comments posted by his friends and schoolmates...I truly felt that I was experiencing a divine moment...a touch of what it might be like to be in the presence of a divine creation of the Heavenly Father. I never met Devon...but could I feel the godliness of Devon. I believe that Devon was a angel that lived among us. I know that loving...kind-hearted Devon is safe in heaven in the arms of our heavenly Father. i am praying for your family. Peace.

CeiCei Carter

Trevor and the Smiley Family: Words cannot describe how I am feeling for all of you. I can't imagine your loss. Please know that your family has a special place in the hearts of our family and in many, many other South Haven families. We are all praying for you daily. I remember just last year when I was in the parking lot of Village Market putting groceries in my car, both of your sons surprised me and swooped in to help me unload my cart. That was just everyday stuff for them - common courtesy - that they learned from you and your wife. You are truly great parents and raised an amazing family. We are so sorry for your loss.

Chris, Steve, Hannah and Audrey Flood

Trevor, Melissa, Trenton, My heart breaks for you and the feeling that you must be experiencing. I pray that Christ's Love & Peace, that transcends all understanding would be brought upon the entire Smiley family. Trevor, Jesus said, in The Book of John; 16: Verses 32-33, "But the time is coming-indeed it's here now - when you will be scattered, each one going their own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on Earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, for I have overcome the world." Devon has overcome this world, and is now rejoicing with his creator. One day, we will meet up again. For this is not our permanent home, just a temporary one, until we are called back home. Love & Thoughts are being expressed to all of you, throughout this entire community and beyond. God be with you all.

Jeremy "Coach" Jacobsen

To the Smiley's
this is tough. What can I say in this time of need. Love and support you have that from all. To let go-what does that mean?? Devon -you have gone but your spirit will always be with us. We will say our goodbye to you for what we had; but hello to your happy spirit -because one thing we know-God loves you. And we will always love you.
As we let go of you as we knew you-we embrace God's love and shining light to the new you as one of God's precious Angel .
Thank you Melissa and Trevor for such a wonderful young man who blessed all he touched with his bright smiling light.
We will always have you in our prayer.

Maddox and Pearson family

Dear Smiley Family,

Our hearts go out to you.

Devon made such an positive impact on not only friends and family, but on the whole community. The way that the everyone is coming together to show their love is a representation of the amazing children that you have raised. Devon made so many people smile, encouraged so many young ones with his coaching and changed this community. We will never forget him and we will continue his legacy of kindness.

Love,
The DeVries Family

The DeVries Family

Dear Smiley Family,

Our hearts go out to you.

Devon made such a positive impact on not only friends and family, but on the whole community. The way that the everyone is coming together to show their love is a representation of the amazing children that you have raised. Devon made so many people smile, encouraged so many young ones with his coaching and changed this community. We will never forget him and we will continue his legacy of kindness.

Love,
The DeVries Family

The DeVries Family

To the Smiley Family. We the Jones family want to express our deepest sympathy on the loss of Devon Smiley. We remember Devon, Trenton and the Cornett boys always having their own basketball game after a Covert home game. Seeing Devon as a student at Covert Public Schools he always had a smile each day and a kind word. Devon always show respect to adults. As a parapro Devon always spoke. I know that there no words that can ease the loss you feel. But God is there for you to lend on. Just trust HIM to carry you though the days ahead. The Jones Family sends our thoughts and prayers your way. If you need us Really we offer ourselves to you just inbox us at the email above or my work email: jonesg@covertps.org We will be there for you. We Love you and will keep you in our prayers. The Jones Family, Gwendolyn Jones, Kevin Jones, Bethany Jones Reed.

Gwendolyn Jones, Kevin Jones, & Bethany Jones Reed

Trevor and Family, We know there are no words that can explain the loss of DeVo at such an early age, nor are there any words to take away the grief and feeling of loss parents face when someone so young and so full of life is taken from them. However, my hope for you is that all of the prayers and kind words will bring you some sort of peace. He was truly a kind and kindred soul and was loved and liked by all those whom he met. You raised a gentleman and a gentle soul. I'm glad I had the privilege to know him and coach him for a short period of time May God Bless and keep you! Our prayers are with you.

Dennis Carlson

So very sorry to read of the tragic accident and loss of your Devon.
Death is an enemy to all of us. God refers to death as the 'enemy that will soon be brought to nothing,' [1Corinthians 15:26.] Please be encouraged by these words from the Bible, because the Bible gives us the wonderful resurrection hope. [John 5:28,29.]
Our creator, Jehovah God , promises to remove from the earth all bad things and the 'righteous will live on the here forever',[ Psalms 37:9,10,11,28 and 29].
" God will wipe all the tears from their eyes and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry, nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."[Revelation 21:4,5.]
There is much Bible-based comfort to be found on the website jw.org.

d mullins

You and your family have been so instrumental in the development of both Trenton and Devon. From basketball scrimmages in 1st grade with lil Tony, baseball lessons and games, training at KID's Corner with Carson. The weight room aka "THE LAB" had become Devo's home away from home. The genuine love, and passion for life and living with a BIG personality; with respect and true grace will always be cherished. We love you all very deeply. GOD bless you all. Thank you for all the love and support.