The world became a little dimmer on September 21, 2026, when we unexpectedly lost Aaron Lee Smith, 17, of Cherry Valley.

Aaron, affectionately known as “Bitty,” was born on May 20, 2009. He was a senior at Jefferson High School, where he found his passion and community working in the theater troupe. As a sound technician and assistant stage manager, he brought creativity, dedication, and heart to every production. In 2025, he was honored as Top Crew Technician for the fall play. His love for theater also led him to an internship at Starlight, giving him the opportunity to learn, grow, and spend time doing something he truly loved.

Aaron was known to be wicked smart, and his brilliance was only one part of what made him so special. He was incredibly versatile, finding joy in everything from baking and gardening to sharing obscure fun facts and diving into advanced scientific theories. Aaron was always surprising us with some random tidbit, leaving us stunned by something he knew one minute, and nourishing our souls with a good joke the next.

His kindness, patience, and wonderfully eccentric sense of humor made him someone you could never quite forget. He had a unique way of finding joy in the little wonders of the world, and there truly was no one else quite like him.

Aaron leaves behind a loving family, a mountain of breadcrumbs, a local dairy industry that is already projecting a devastating second-quarter financial loss, and many who are already missing his baked goods.

The little things that made Aaron uniquely Aaron will be treasured by all who knew and loved him. His absence leaves an emptiness that words cannot describe, but the light he brought into the lives of those around him will remain. His memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends, especially those who had the privilege of knowing him best.

Aaron is survived by his brother, Grant Smith; sister, Jade (Chandler) Schutte, grandparents, Jennings and Donna Smith; father, Jesse Smith; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Sunday, September 27, from 12:00–3:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service from 3:00–4:00 p.m. If you knew Aaron, we warmly invite you to join us in celebrating his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Marshmallow’s Hope in honor of Aaron’s memory (Https://marshmallowshope.org).

Our world feels dimmer now that Aaron is gone. As we gather to celebrate his beautiful life, we hope to carry his unique spark forward breaking through the darkness of suicide and shattering the heavy silence that surrounds it.

Matthew 5:4