Marquavis Keyshawn Smithers "Quay"

Marquavis Keyshawn Smithers was born on April 5, 2005, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Shatara Thomas and Kenneth Smithers. He gained his wings and transitioned from earth to his new home on March 7, 2023, at the age of 17 years.

Marquavis was a lifelong resident of Saginaw, Michigan. He was a student at Success Academy and was scheduled to graduate in June from Arthur Hill High School, “Class of 2023”. He was a member of the New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Alfred “AJ” Harris, Jr., and was employed at McDonald’s on Dixie Highway. Quay loved to play video games; he was the life of the party and he thought he was a “for real” rapper. He was a member of his church youth group, youth usher board, youth drummer, security for the church, and he was a member of the youth and mass choir. Marquavis was waiting to start a career as an OTR (over-the-road) truck driver with his cousin, DeQuan Lee. His favorite phrase when someone would say something to him was “On God.”

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving parents, Shatara Thomas and Kenneth Smithers. He also leaves to cherish his memory his grandparents, Mary Thomas, Jacqueline (Lorenzo) Jacocks, Maggie Davis, and Gwen Goodman; sisters, Da’Triana Thomas, Imari Thomas, Nevaeh Johnson, Ny’Asia-Brea Gomez, Dre’Ana Kemp, Sha'nia Stephens, Samorrah Calhoun, Sabrina Mackey, Kenyada Smithers, Monica Taylor, Zhane Jackson, Keifon Jackson, Makia Brewer, Shrandia Jackson, Khalilah Chandler, NaVasha Woods, Keyon Riche, Alana Fowlkes and Jatorri McConnell; brothers, Darnell Smithers, Darrell Smithers, Deondre Blackmon, Sedrick Burns, Remulas "Remy" Burns, Marquavis Jackson, Darterrion Jackson, Samuel Jackson, Cameron Calhoun, Cayden Calhoun, Gerald Cunningham; nieces, Dasiya Andrews, Danielle Johnson, Da’Laiah Burton, Isis Mackey, Jasmin Smithers, Brooklyn Smithers, Isabella Garcia, La’Miyah Jackson, Lauren Barron, Samantha Dillard, and Joelle Simon; nephews, Zhaire Andrews, Dominick Burton, Ivory Polk, Joseph Polk, Jr., and Kason Conley.

He also leaves to cherish his memory many aunts including special aunts, TraVanda Thomas, Tara Davis, Andrea Stringer, Earleen Smithers, Michelle Bates, Takeisha Gaylor, Quentila Howard, Bertha Rodgers, Barbara Washington, Sharon Mack, Joann Walls, Mary Smithers, Loraine Smithers, LaToya (Berry) Young, Myla Stennis, Jynice Brown, Sally Davis, and Mi'Asia Buford; many uncles including special uncles, Vernshea “Jr” Harrison, Demarcus (Joy) Laury, Diontae Laury, George Smithers, James Buriel, Chad Davis, Roy Stewart, Nolan Smithers, Sr., Rodrick Roby, Dennis Buriel, Anthony Shacks, Leon (Richada) Brown, Andrea Woods, and James (Marcie) Cook; cousins, Maranda Thomas, Andrea Laury, Tiana Goodman, Jaden Goodman, Chanda Thompson, Jessica Rodgers, Titus Bowman, Brianna Davis, Syrina Johnson, Pele Peterson, Crystal Parker, Tiland Parker, Maurice Harris, E’Mariona Hill, Nyla Young, Tonesha Jackson, Jordynn Brown, Jy’Nia Brown, Johnny Brown, Ciarra, Avonniah, and Berry Young; godmothers, Ronda Jackson, Danisha Roach, Shanell (Clifford) Calhoun, Diana Johnson, and Tamika (Roosevelt) Hart.

Marquavis had many other relatives and special friends: Louis Harvey Jr., bonus mom, Krystal Brodnex, his girlfriend, Apariyae Brodnex, Courtney Burch, Sylvester (Nicole) Liggins, Parc Liggins, Jason Nolan, Ja’Vion Davenport, Darius Williams, New Mt. Calvary Youth Department, Sowell Family of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Brown Family, Hollowell Family, Brenda Ezell, Frankie Riche, Snow Family, Southward and Favorite Family, and Dale Miller. 

Marquavis was preceded in death by his cousins, DeQuan Lee, Kortnei Lee, Steven Johnson, Isaiah Harper, and E’Mari Doss- Collins; niece, India Mackey; grandparents, Tommy Thomas Sr., James (Sylvia) Davis, Evelyn Ruth Smithers, Charles P. Smithers, great-grandparents, Robert Washington, Rosie Washington, and Willie Sue Laury, great-great grandparents, Harper Cook, Willie Lee Cook; aunts,Veronica Smithers, Lorene Farr, Maxine Craig; uncles, Willie J. Cook, David Thompson, Thurlan  Smithers, Raymond Smithers; and brother/cousin Shaurome McKinney, Jr.

The family would like to express special thanks to Ascension St. Mary’s ER, and NICU; Gift of Life; Nexteer Automotive; the staff at Success Academy and Arthur Hill High School; New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Family, Platinum Creations;  Ivan E. Phillips and the staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.