Tragic Loss of Lewis County Stars Freshman Basketball Star Beonka Smith

Lewis County High School Varsity Basketball Player Beonka Smith Passed Away, Leaving Father Shattered!

Beonka Smith also played for Columbia Central High School Varsity Basketball team.

August 28, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on August 28, 2026

Talented girls’ varsity basketball player Beonka Smith, from Tennessee, passed away on August 28, 2026. However, the precise details about her sudden demise remain concealed.

Beonka Smith is survived by her father, J.R. Smith; her brother, Jalen Smith; and her sister, Arionnah Smith.

Her brother, , plays varsity football and varsity baseball at Mount Pleasant High School.

Following Beonka’s demise, her father, J.R. Smith, updated his Facebook cover picture to one featuring all three kids in a collage. Though he hasn’t broken the silence on her sudden passing, he silently paid tribute to his beloved daughter.

Whereas her sister, Arionnah Smith, shared several pictures, writing a tribute post which reads:

I am so lost for words, I have so many unanswered questions and I’m extremely hurt. Fly high my sweet angel❤️‍🩹 🕊️ until we meet again. Sissy loves you 💕❤️❤️

It was Michelle Henault Clayburn who disclosed the exclusive news of her untimely passing via Facebook.

Sharing to Lewis Co Basketball Booster Club public Facebook group wall, Michelle wrote:

We lost another sweet soul today! We have watched Beonka Smith grow up and blossom into a fierce athlete and awesome young lady. We, along with our whole community, are heartbroken with the loss of her. Thank you for letting us be a part of your journey, BB!
We love you. 🧡 Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Following the disclosure of the post, the comment section is flooded with words of condolences from everyone who knew her.

However, her parents have yet to break their silence on her sudden demise.

To honor her memory, there’s a balloon release set for Saturday, August 30, at 7 p.m. at Blondy.

was a young basketball star who left a significant mark on the court in her short time with Lewis County High School’s girls’ varsity team in Hohenwald, Tennessee.

As a sophomore in the class of 2028, she played as a point guard, wearing jersey number 23.

Standing at 5’3” and weighing 110 pounds, Beonka had a knack for scoring, dropping a career-high 20 points in a win against Hampshire in December 2026.

Beonka’s stats tell the story of her hustle: 14 points against Battle Creek, 19 against Mt. Pleasant, and solid rebounding, like the seven she grabbed in a tough loss to Summertown in February 2026.

She played in a number of games during the 2026-2026 season, helping her team to wins, including a 56-19 blowout over Battle Creek and a 50-24 victory over Mt. Pleasant.

Beonka was just getting started, and her love for the game made everyone around her believe she was headed for something special.

So far, details about her funeral services have yet to be published by her family.

During this difficult time, we pray for the strength of her parents, friends, teammates, and extended family.

Rest In Heavenly Peace, Beonka Smith!

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