Raven Samone 'Ravybaby' Smith

Raven Samone Smith, affectionately known also as Ravybaby, was born January 16, 1993 to Traylon G. Smith and Crystal Gooch Smith in Westerville, Ohio. Raven attended Columbus Downtown High School and graduated from Westerville North High School in 2011. She matriculated to Ohio Dominican University where she pursued a Bachelor's degree in Finance (2015), with a minor course of study in Economics, and subsequently earned a Master of Business Administration (2016). While enrolled as an undergraduate student, she made the Dean's List twice and was an active participant in various campus activities including Stepping Stones (both as a mentee and mentor), I Know I Can (mentor), and Women of Worth (serving as President and Treasurer). A 2013 initiate of the Pi Gamma Chapter at ODU, Raven was privileged to join her mother as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. After college, she immediately united with Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter as a graduate member and continued her dedicated service to the organization and her community. Raven was employed by Sedgwick Claims Management Services and was a baptized disciple of Faith Ministries Church in Columbus. Furthermore, Raven was a longtime student of martial arts, a special bond she shared with her father and trainer. A member of Don Madden’s American Karate Ju-Jitsu Union (AKJU) Team America, she was recognized as an International Competitor of the Year and Hall of Famer, and was most recently working toward obtaining her black belt. On Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at the age of 24, Raven was called Home unexpectedly while at St. Ann's Hospital in Westerville. Her grandparents, Henry and Naomi Gooch, and Lillie Gram Smith, preceded her in death. Those who remain to cherish memories of Raven include her loving parents, Traylon and Crystal Smith; sister Alena Smith (Jerry); grandparents, Gordon and Sonia Smith; two nieces, Jadyn and Jacey Smith; nephew Bryson Smith; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, sorors, and dear friends. Though we feel a deep sense of loss with the untimely passing of our beloved Raven, we rejoice in knowing that, while here on earth, her life’s journey was steeped in experiences that fostered confidence, self-discipline, scholastic achievement, high ethical standards, family values, and most of all, a strong Christian foundation. Her positive demeanor, fervent spirit, and bright smile will live on in the hearts and minds of all those whom she touched along the way.