Kayla Rae Smith, 19, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Wednesday after a brief illness. Kayla was born on June 10, 1998 in Fort Campbell, Kentucky along with her twin sister, Taylor Susanne Smith. Kayla attended Edison and Sandusky schools, and graduated from JI Case High School “Class of 2016”.
Kayla was a compassionate, kind, and generous person. Her smile and laughter were infectious. Kayla loved music and singing, especially with her sister, Taylor. Kayla was the most selfless person and always put others first. She loved to bake. She also loved to buy her loved ones gifts, even if it was with her last dollar. She adored children and babysat quite a bit over the past several years. Kayla recognized the genuine and pure love children have for everyone. It was something she hoped to receive without judgment, and offered the same to others. Kayla would want the world to be a less critical and more empathetic place and for everyone to consider each other’s feelings and just be kinder to one another.
Kayla leaves behind father, Jeremy “Jake” (Jenna) Smith of Racine, mother Julie (Gabriel Zeller) Mesenburg of Sandusky, OH, her twin sister, Taylor Susanne Smith of Los Angeles, and younger siblings Donovan, Emma, Penelope, and Matthew, of Racine; grandparents, Tom and Mary Jo Smith of Culleoka, TN, Charles and Janet Mesenburg of Collins, OH; great grandmothers, Evelyn Smith and Francoise Elholm; several aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends..
Private family services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please be kind to each other. Stop a bully. Comfort a stranger. Just be good to everyone.