Atlanta radio legend Wanda Smith has passed away just one day after celebrating her birthday.
She was just 58.
Atlanta’s V-103 radio’s senior VP Rick Caffey said in a statement:
‘Our hearts are weighing heavier today as we grieve the loss of our beloved Wanda Smith, someone who always made us smile and who was a big part of V-103 for years.’
He added: ‘We extend our deepest prayers and condolences to her family.
‘In her role at V-103, dating back to 2006, Wanda Smith brought so much joy and care servicing the Atlanta community.
‘Wanda’s impact touched lives beyond making us laugh… Many times she championed efforts behind the scenes to make a difference in the lives of those who were without.
‘Rest In Peace Wanda, as You take your place among the Stars. We will Miss You.’
According to the Daily Mail Smith was married to LaMorris Sellers and the couple shared three children.
She started her career at V-103 as a co-host for the ‘Frank and Wanda in the Morning’ show with Frank Ski in 1998 and worked on the show for two decades – with a break from 2012 to 2018 – before she was forced out in 2019.
Her show exit came after Smith’s explosive interview with comedian Katt Williams in 2018, which saw the radio star and the comedian in a bitter feud after Williams insulted Smith’s interview style.
Williams had previously insulted other comedians and celebrities.
Smith’s husband Seller allegedly confronted Williams with a gun outside the Atlanta Comedy Theater following the row, but Williams did not press charges, according to Atlanta News First.
Smith, a Miami native, was also known as a comedian, having been a writer on the TV series ‘Def Comedy Jam’ and ‘Comicview’, Fox 5 Atlanta reports.
Additionally, Smith had a weekly set at the Atlanta Comedy Theater and was in several movies like ‘Madea Goes to Jail’ or Madea’s Witness Protection’ by Tyler Perry as well as ‘The Drone that Saved Christmas’.
Smith’s cause of death has not been reported.
Condolences for the radio star poured in online, with actress and comedian Loni Love writing:
‘I am sad to hear about the passing of comedian and radio host Wanda Smith.
‘She was a staple in the Atlanta area and we came up in comedy together. She was the ultimate entertainer. Rest now Sis. Condolences to The Smith Family.’
I am sad to hear about the passing of comedian and radio host Wanda Smith.. She was a staple in the Atlanta area and we came up in comedy together. She was the ultimate entertainer. Rest now Sis. Condolences to The Smith Family. pic.twitter.com/Uo3esRalom
— Loni Love (@LoniLove) October 13, 2024
Another person on X said: ‘
I’m really sad about Wanda Smith. She was a legend in Atlanta Radio. She is way way way more than that Kat moment as you can see by how folks are devastated.’
V-103 will be honoring Smith on Sunday morning.
‘During Sunday Morning Praise with Larry Tinsley, we will be taking time out to pay tribute to this V-103 icon,’ the station said in a statement.
‘Wanda Smith brought so much joy and care servicing the Atlanta community. Wanda’s impact touched lives beyond making us laugh…
‘Many times she championed efforts behind the scenes to make a difference in the lives of those who were without.’
More from Twitter:
please don’t diminish Wanda Smith’s LENGTHY career to THAT moment, she is a radio icon and always will be????????
— Craig ????????♂️????????♏️ (@craigpowejr) October 13, 2024
and
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? #WandaSmith pic.twitter.com/eJhwfXud7e
— Rickey Smiley (@RickeySmiley) October 13, 2024
and
Rip Wanda Smith #WandaSmith #rip #EntertainmentNews pic.twitter.com/aZ9i7K0daZ
— Dontez (Black)Trump (@BlackTrump2020) October 13, 2024
and
Damn @WandaSmith_ATL this one hit different. You poured a lot into me as a young intern and as a young man. I know you up there cracking jokes already! My condolences to your friends and family. Rest easy, Wanda! pic.twitter.com/zHVbb5Y10y
— Big Papi QueZay (@JulioLPhilipe) October 13, 2024
and
Woke up to news of the passing of Wanda Smith. Wanda was exactly the person Atlanta radio fans knew her to be: hilarious, vivacious and entertaining. But I’ll mostly remember how she loved people back. How she’d pull them in w/ a Wanda hug and show compassion and kindness to…
— Elle Duncan (@elleduncanESPN) October 13, 2024
May she rest in peace.
