Nasir Smith, the Baltimore child who died in a Jan. 13 house fire — just five days shy of his second birthday — was laid to rest Saturday after a funeral Mass at St. Peter Claver Church in Baltimore.
The child, who lay in a sky-blue-and-white, linen-lined coffin surrounded by balloons and stuffed animals, was remembered by family and friends for his bright smile and a playful — yet often feisty — temperament.
"Nasir was by far the funniest, meanest, happiest full of life little boy you could come by — hence the name Muggers," an obituary in the church program said. "He would look at you with the meanest little face and say 'leave me lone' then give you the biggest brightest smile and you couldn't help but have a better day. ... "
"He was so outspoken and you wouldn't believe it unless you heard it yourself."
More than 100 people, including members of the Baltimore City Fire Department, attended the two-hour service, with family and friends releasing white balloons to the sky outside the church afterward.
Nasir's coffin was flanked by flowers and a large blanket imprinted with scores of photos of the toddler, his three siblings and his mother, Shanell Bailey. The service began with a 30-minute wake.
Nasir died after a rowhouse in the 800 block of Whitelock St. in Reservoir Hill caught fire, said Fire Department spokesman Capt. Roman Clark.
Less than a week after Nasir's death, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake joined more than a dozen city fire officials in front of the Smith home before going door to door and distributing smoke detectors throughout the Reservoir Hill community.
Fire officials said Nasir's father, Vernon Smith Sr. was critically injured in the blaze. A man who described himself as a next-door neighbor said he saw Smith, badly burned on his face and torso, run out of the home.
Clark said Saturday that Smith was still hospitalized but added that he did not know of his condition. Clark said that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Nasir's death was the city's first fire-related death of the year. After three straight years of declines brought the number of fire deaths in Baltimore to a low of 12 in 2012, the city logged 21 fire deaths in 2013 and 17 last year, officials said.
Clark and Assistant Fire Chief Mark Wagner were among the Fire Department officials who attended Saturday's service.
Nasir was eulogized by the Rev. Ray Bomberger of St. Peter Claver, who told mourners, "The Lord defends us in the battle of doubt and fear and grief. God will defend you with his love. God will strengthen you with his mercy and kindness."
The Rev. Purcell Edwards of the Evangelical Baptist Church in Baltimore also delivered remarks, telling mourners, "We know this is a difficult time and you're wondering, 'Does Jesus care?' I have words for you: He does care.
"God did not make a mistake in bringing little Nasir home to be with him. He is conscious right now, rejoicing in the presence of the living God. Please rejoice along with him."
Family members did not speak during the service, but Nasir's siblings were in attendance.
Said Clark after the service, "On behalf of the 1,700 members of the Baltimore City Fire Department, we offer our sincerest condolences to the family."
Nasir's obituary in the church program described him as a toddler who loved to ride his bike, wrestle with his brothers and watch the Disney television program "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse."