Elijah (Eli) Dawane Smith was born to Rhiannon Smith Isbell on March 27, 2004 in Butler County Ohio. He passed away on June 17, 2026 at the age of 22.

A few years after his birth, the family moved to Oklahoma where Eli participated in 4H, band, soccer, football, and wrestling.

Late in 2016, the family moved to Beeville, Texas where Eli attended A. C. Jones High School. On February 5, 2020, Eli was baptized at New Life Church. While attending A. C. Jones High School, Eli completed the courses required to earn his certification as a Nursing Assistant. During this time, Eli was employed as a lifeguard for the City of Beeville. In 2022, Eli received a letter of appreciation from the City of Victoria, along with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4146, for assisting in the “Full Sweep City Cleanup”. In 2023, Eli and Jordan Gonzales earned an Excellent in Felony Traffic Stop skills at State UIL competition. During this time, Eli also earned his Level 2 Private Security certification.

 Following graduation, In 2023, Eli joined the Marine Corps and went to boot camp, but unfortunately, had to be medically discharged. Upon his return to Beeville, Eli took a job in the oil field. In December of 2023, Eli proudly became an employee of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system at Garza West Unit, earning a fitness award during academy training. Later in his career, he earned an award for Excellence in Action. 

Elijah had a love for life, his family, and the great outdoors. He never knew a stranger and never went anywhere in public without stopping to talk to someone he knew or even a complete stranger. His infectious smile put smiles on the faces of everyone he met. Eli loved telling silly jokes and making people laugh. Eli’s passions were spending time with his dog Little Ann, aka “Annie Bananie”, fishing, riding his motorcycle, horses, and time at the firing range.

In August 2025, Eli found the woman with whom he planned to spend the rest of his life, Brianna Martinez. In true Eli fashion, on May 30, 2026, he asked Brianna’s father for her hand in marriage. Mr. Martinez responded that he didn’t think that he could find a more fitting man for his daughter to marry. He even showed the ring he planned to buy to “Padre”, Eli Martinez and his “Mamaw’”, JudySmith. 

Eli had a big heart. He loved life, loved his family and visited often with the those he called his second family the Martinez'.

Elijah is survived by his parents, Kyle and Rhiannon Isbell of Beeville, his siblings Hannah Wilson, Jayce Isbell, Kendra (Nick) Coffman, Tyler (Brianna) Batt, Kylee Isbell, McKenzy Isbell, Billie (Krystain) Buentello, nieces and nephews, Madilynn Lopez, Lane, Kryson, and Ella Batt, Theodore Buentello, Carter Barrett, and Hudson Coffman, his beloved grandparents Judy James (Grub) Smith, Peggy Isbell, great grandparents James Cressell, Joe Allison, and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Elijah was preceded in death by his grandfathers Rodney Smith, Eddie Isbell, his uncle Eric Smith, great grandparents Jean Allison, George and Barbara Isbell, Patty Cruze Cressell, and Blakely Coffman.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, June 29, 2026 at Angelus Funeral Home in Beeville, Texas. A Celebration of Life will follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor Jones officiating.

Burial will follow at Beeville Memorial Park Cemetery in Beeville, Texas.

In Memory of Elijah, donations can be made to Our Brother's Legacy charity, or KH Horse Rescue located in Beeville, Texas.