Donovan Shavaughn Smith

On September 10, 1997, in Washington, DC, Rodney & Lisa welcomed a wonderful and handsome son, Donovan Shavaughn Smith. Donovan’s parents quickly recognized that he was a child with no fear. Each trip, game and task, was a courageous adventure that set him on his way to accomplish his life’s goals.

 

His boldness did not diminish his unconditional love for family and all the new friends he would meet. To know Donovan was to know love as God intended it, without judgment or requirement. He accepted you as you were.

 

Donovan was a 2015 graduate of Frederick Douglass High School. His high school extra-curricular activities included, playing football with the Patuxent Rhinos Football Program of Prince George’s County. He also enjoyed the lively game of basketball with friends at Rosaryville Park. 

 

Donovan enjoyed a passionate exchange with his father and brothers over their love for cars. The rumbling engines, and the hydraulic power at the moment of take-off, put a smile on his face like none other. He’d recently joined the “Bimmer” Crew with his brother, Tevin. He also enjoyed playing video games online with family and friends. If he wasn’t working, he could be found playing with his girls, Jasmine, his high school sweetheart, and baby Jayce or hanging with his family and friends. Donovan and Jasmine also loved riding around looking at mansions.

 

When most young men were deep into Hip Hop and R&B, Donovan developed a love for Country Western music, and as quiet as it is kept, he was a songwriter in his own right. 

 

His career path included Fifth Element, Nordstrom, Amazon Warehouse and Fitzgerald Auto Mall, just to name a few.

 

On October 16, 2021, Donovan’s love for Jasmine gifted them with a bundle of joy named Jayce. This reflection of his courage and passion quickly became the center of his life. 

 

As a fiancé and father, Donovan knew the value of hard work for his family and became an employee for Tricore Systems, as a Cable Puller, under the leadership of Dave Hummer, President. 

 

On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, God decided to call our angel home early.

 

We’ll remember Donovan as always sending his family forward with a hug, kiss, and an “I love you”.

 

Those who cherish Donovan’s memory are his doting parents, Rodney O. and Lisa R. Smith of Upper Marlboro, MD; bonus mother/godmother, Lena Webb of Clinton, MD; fiancé, Jasmine Smallwood of Clinton, MD; daughter, Jayce Lee Smith of Clinton, MD; brothers, Rodney Smith II (Ashley) of Frederick, MD and Tevin Smith (Kyejah) of Clinton, MD; bonus sisters, Rosharon Ingram of Waldorf, MD, LaDonna Webb of Clinton, MD, Samantha Webb of Forestville, MD, and Tammie Peters (Brandon) of Clinton, MD; bonus brother, Booker T. ‘Sonny’ Bookurn (Kasey) of Washington, DC and Dominic Paige of Waldorf, MD; nieces and nephews, Ashton, Camden, Lanae and Lily Smith; bonus nephews, Jamari Webb and Jakai Webb; and god-grandmother, Yvonne Byrd.

 

He also leaves eight uncles, Elvis Webb (Susan), Jerry Butler (Marcel), Larry Johnson-deceased (Wanda), Moses Webb, Jr. (Trina), Tim Smith (Michelle), Lamont Thompson, Frank Thompson, Kelvin Smith (LaToya) and Rodney Weeks; four great-uncles; Kenneth Veney, Randolph Veney (Doris), William Johnson and Herbert Johnson; seven aunts, Marilyn Seldon, Lena Webb, Angela Dyer (James), Aretha Sherriod (James), Tamara Scott (Andre), Danielle Smith (Lester) and Faith Webb; great-aunts, Carrie Smith, Cora Veney, Joanne Veney-Mynatt, Annette Bookurn, Georgetta (John) Wooten, Linda Johnson and Jessie Sigmon.

 

While growing up, Donovan was one of the "Three Musketeers", with first cousins, Lester Smith III and Dante Brown Jr. They were definitely three peas in a pod. He also had a host of very close cousins and friends, including best friends; DeMarco Busby, Charles Caldwell, Maurice Gales, Michal Henry, Reginald Johnson and Marcellus Thomas.