Dashawn Smith

Dashawn Maurice Smith, 47, left this life on the morning of September 26, 2025, at OSU Main Hospital with his sister by his side.

Dashawn was born to Denise (Smith) Lawson and Mark Witcher on July 18, 1978, in Columbus, Ohio, at Ohio University Hospital. Denise married Ricky Lawson, who assumed the role of Dashawn's father and raised him into a young man.

Dashawn attended Columbus City Schools and trained in Culinary Arts, which sparked his love for cooking and grilling for everyone. He always brought joy to a room with his seafood meals.

He relocated to Cambridge, Ohio, where he continued to develop his culinary skills by cooking and grilling more. He sold dinners and brought smiles to family and friends’ faces. He often shared tips on seasoning pork chops and grilling a whole pig.

Dashawn is preceded in death by his mother, Denise Smith Lawson; father, Mark Witcher; brother, James Scott; aunt, Estelle Jean Smith; uncle, Freddie Smith Jr.; grandfather, Freddie Smith Sr.; and grandmother, Rosa L. Richards.

He leaves behind his four children: Dashawn Maurice Smith, Nevaeh Jaclyn Maurie Smith, Kyla Maude Smith, and Zakirah Shawntae Marie Smith. His six grandchildren are Rowan Cole Humphreys, Geneviene Lucille Latham, Elodie Jo Latham, Daevion Maurice Smith, Kahlani Rose Fairzettia Smith, and Eziah James Smith. He is also survived by his sisters: Christina Lawson of Columbus, Ohio; Uhara (Douglas Mims) of Cleveland, Ohio; Aysha Witcher of Columbus, Ohio; brothers: Nathan (Stephanie) Smith of Zanesville, Ohio; Jayvon Witcher of Columbus, Ohio; stepfather Ricky Lawson of Columbus, Ohio; grandmother Erma Smith of Pickerington, Ohio; aunts: Tina Smith Anderson of Pickerington, Ohio and Dawn Smith of Columbus, Ohio; uncles: Ivan Smith of Zanesville, Ohio and Todd Smith of Columbus, Ohio; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dashawn was a big support to everyone, and he will truly be missed!

Dashawn Maurice Smith, 47, left this life on the morning of September 26, 2025, at OSU Main Hospital with his sister by his side.

Dashawn was born to Denise (Smith) Lawson and Mark Witcher on July 18, 1978, in Columbus, Ohio, at Ohio University Hospital. Denise married Ricky Lawson, who assumed the role of Dashawn's father and raised him into a young man.

Dashawn attended Columbus City Schools and trained in Culinary Arts, which sparked his love for cooking and grilling for everyone. He always brought joy to a room with his seafood meals.

He relocated to Cambridge, Ohio, where he continued to develop his culinary skills by cooking and grilling more. He sold dinners and brought smiles to family and friends’ faces. He often shared tips on seasoning pork chops and grilling a whole pig.

Dashawn is preceded in death by his mother, Denise Smith Lawson; father, Mark Witcher; brother, James Scott; aunt, Estelle Jean Smith; uncle, Freddie Smith Jr.; grandfather, Freddie Smith Sr.; and grandmother, Rosa L. Richards.

He leaves behind his four children: Dashawn Maurice Smith, Nevaeh Jaclyn Maurie Smith, Kyla Maude Smith, and Zakirah Shawntae Marie Smith. His six grandchildren are Rowan Cole Humphreys, Geneviene Lucille Latham, Elodie Jo Latham, Daevion Maurice Smith, Kahlani Rose Fairzettia Smith, and Eziah James Smith. He is also survived by his sisters: Christina Lawson of Columbus, Ohio; Uhara (Douglas Mims) of Cleveland, Ohio; Aysha Witcher of Columbus, Ohio; brothers: Nathan (Stephanie) Smith of Zanesville, Ohio; Jayvon Witcher of Columbus, Ohio; stepfather Ricky Lawson of Columbus, Ohio; grandmother Erma Smith of Pickerington, Ohio; aunts: Tina Smith Anderson of Pickerington, Ohio and Dawn Smith of Columbus, Ohio; uncles: Ivan Smith of Zanesville, Ohio and Todd Smith of Columbus, Ohio; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dashawn was a big support to everyone, and he will truly be missed!