August 30, 1973 – September 8, 2022
Candace Marie (Walker) Smiley, age 49, passed away with her loving family by her side in Seattle, Washington, Thursday, September 8, 2022.
Smiley was born on August 30, 1973, to Jimmie Lee Walker and Betty Stovall in Seattle. She was married for 12 years to Eric Smiley. Even after their divorced, they remained the greatest of friends, and Eric continues to be a father figure to Shai’Ree.
Smiley attended and graduated from Garfield High School and was a proud member of the Class of 1992. She was a creative and gifted child and inherited her artistic gifts from her father, Jimmie, a talented artist and dancer, and her mother, Betty, a talented clothing designer and seamstress.
The joy of Smiley ‘s life was being a mother to her only child, her beautiful daughter, and “mini-me” Shai’Ree. She was present in every way for Shai, raising and supporting her throughout her childhood into a beautiful young woman. They share the same entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm about life. Smiley was the ultimate sports mom and supported Shai’Ree through her various athletic pursuits. Shai’Ree was her number one priority, and Smiley worked hard to provide her daughter with the best education and life opportunities. Smiley instilled in Shai the importance of faith, prayer, and believing in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Their favorite scripture the past two months was James 1:3, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
As a late teen and adult, Smiley poured her boundless creativity into hairstyling. She enrolled in Seattle Central Community College immediately after graduating from high school to pursue cosmetology. Upon graduating from cosmetology school, Smiley began working at various salons throughout the Seattle area, such as Shear Images Salon with Sylvia Jarrett. Smiley got her start in Sylvia’s salon. She learned from Sylvia’s modeling, impeccable work ethic, and respect for clients’ time. She also worked with Consuela Adams at her salon in the CD, at Paul’s Custom Cuts with Paul Hinton, Michaela’s with Michaela Osborne, and Prolific Hair Design with William Demps. But, if you have been ridin’ with Smiley since day one, you got your hair done at the Walker home in High Point! Smiley made friends everywhere she went and was well-respected and loved by her many colleagues in the hair care field.
Smiley has been an award-winning stylist and natural hair specialist for over 20+ years. In October 2017, King 5’s Evening Magazine did a feature story, “Meet MzTwist, the woman behind the Seahawk’s hair.” The show shared about her work styling the hair of Seahawks players for two decades.
Candace Smiley was awarded Mane Loctician Winner three years in a row; 2020, 2021, and 2022 during the annual Reign of Style Mane Awards. Clients, peers, followers, and the community vote on this annual award to honor the Pacific Northwest’s best and favorite hair and beauty professionals. Smiley ‘s creativity and innovation contributed to the local, national, and global movement amongst Black people to opt out of chemical straightening and to embrace the beauty of our natural hair textures.
In 2014, Smiley opened her salon, MzTwist Artistry Studio. She was a natural hair educator-extraordinaire and branded the “fastest hands in Washington.” Her artist name MzTwist was given to her in beauty school by her good friend and local barber, the late Rahsaan (RIP) Phillips. As an entrepreneur in the hair industry, MzTwist was “the confident creator” of the MzTwist Emollient Oil. Her unique formula contributed to the growth of natural hair and good skin. MzTwist Artistry Studio has served people from all walks of life, teachers, doctors, everyday people, and professional athletes. Anyone who visited understood the blessing of MzTwist’s hands in their hair and her voice in their ear would always leave feeling confident, fresh, and loved.
Smiley loved her family and shared a special bond with her siblings Curtis and Nakia, who were all close in age, and later with their youngest sister, Jymie. Growing up, Curtis would kiss and mess with Smiley ‘s arms and call her Bap. Until this day, he still calls her this. Through middle and high school, Nakia and Candace often wore the “fly-est,” coordinated b-girl outfits with a special “Candace” fashion touch. Smiley ‘s swag was unstoppable.
Auntie Candace loved the kids, and they loved her back! She mentored youth in her community and served as an Office Assistant for Seattle Public Schools at South Shore PK-8 School. She was well respected and loved by the administration, staff, students, and families. The South Shore former school leaders both shared stories of Mrs. Smiley’s impact on students of their school. Students would hang out in the main office, hoping to connect with Smiley. Students would surround her on the playground during recess, making it challenging for her to supervise all of the kids. Mrs. Smiley taught Friday morning classes in the middle school, teaching youth about hair care. She developed and organized community events and would bring local hair professionals to the school to provide free haircuts and hairstyling throughout the school year.
Smiley was a fantastic interior designer, making any space look like it came from a magazine. She was also one of the best cooks and loved good food. We only need to taste “Chef” Shai’s plates to understand where she gets her cooking skills.
Smiley was known for her impeccable sense of style and love for fashion. Over the last few years, she amazed us with yet another facet of her brilliant creativity in the limited and exclusive mixed-media artwork she painted. Smiley was a vivid, bright light that lit up any space she entered, and her smile? Well, we don’t need to say anymore.
Candace Marie Smiley is survived by her daughter Shai’Ree Jarren McKinsey Walker of Seattle, WA; father Jimmie L. Walker of Federal Way, WA; mother Betty Stovall of Federal Way, WA; brother Curtis J. Walker of Seattle, WA; sister Nakia L. Ray (Kevin) of Kent, WA; sister Jymie Walker of Federal Way, WA; former husband, Eric Smiley, nieces MahKayla Steele, Cianna Williams, Aniya Ray, Nadia Ray and her nephew Derek Ray; aunts Erma Douglas, Dover, DE, Esther Jones, Seattle, WA; uncles Willie Stovall, Dallas, TX and Michael Jones, Seattle, WA and a host of cousins, great nieces and adopted nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life for Candace Smiley will be held on Friday, September 23, 2022 at Mt. Calvary Christian Center, 1412 23rd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122 at 11:00 a.m.
Live streaming of the service is TBD.
The repast will be held immediately following the service nearby at Washington Hall, 153 14th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122.
