Popular Atlanta radio host Wanda Smith dies day after birthday, V-103 radio confirms
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 24: Radio Personality Wanda Smith attends Breakfast with Jamie Foxx at W Atlanta - Midtown on April 24, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
ATLANTA - A key voice to the Atlanta entertainment scene is no longer with us. Popular radio personality Wanda Smith passed away on Saturday, according to Atlanta's V-103 radio's Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Rick Caffey. This news came just one day after the star celebrated her birthday.
"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. We extend our deepest prayers and condolences to her family," Caffey said in an Instagram post.
Smith began co-hosting on the "Frank and Wanda in the Morning" show for V-103 – known then as WVEE-FM – in 1998. She held that position for over two decades. Up until she was ousted in 2019, the Atlanta-Constitution Journal reported her only year off as 2013. She returned in 2014 to co-host alongside Ryan Cameron.
Aside from her radio work, Smith was also a notable comedian. Not only was she credited as one of the writers of the hit TV series "Def Comedy Jam" and BET's "Comicview," but for a long time, she had a weekly set at the Atlanta Comedy Theater in Norcross. She also made appearances in several films, including Tyler Perry's "Madea Goes to Jail" and "Madea's Witness Protection."
Smith is survived by her husband, LaMorris Sellers, her sons and her grandchildren.
A cause of death has not yet been released.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens released the following statement on Smith's passing:
"Atlanta has lost a staple with the passing of Wanda Smith—not only in our city’s media, but our culture. We not only trusted her—we relied on her for her acumen, a common sense way of speaking to her listeners…and perhaps most importantly, telling us it was okay to laugh in good times and bad. She was a voice for so many Atlantans and my thoughts and prayers are with her family, loved ones and folks like me who just loved her love for our city."