Mercedez Michel Stinson

Mercedez Michel Stinson, 42, departed this life on May 23, 2026, surrounded by love after fiercely battling late-stage colon cancer.

Born on July 18, 1983, in Columbus, Ohio, Mercedez was a woman of profound grace, vibrance, and brilliant intellect. She was a beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, Soror, niece, cousin, mentor, and so much more to the countless lives she touched.

Deeply committed to her education, Mercedez was a proud graduate of multiple prestigious institutions. She graduated from Eastmoor Academy High School in 2001 as class salutatorian with a perfect 4.0 GPA, a member of the National Honor Society, and with two years of college credits already completed. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, double-majoring in International Business and Political Science, from Xavier University in 2005.

One of Mercedez’s most cherished milestones during her undergraduate years was crossing the burning sands into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated in Fall 2003 through the Rho Xi Chapter at Xavier University. Serving as line number 3, she was given the name “Synergy,” an apt moniker for a woman of such high emotional intelligence who naturally thrived in group settings. She was deeply involved in community service and passionately mentored prospective Deltas, encouraging them along their journeys. Membership in the sisterhood was one of her greatest joys. She carried the principles of scholarship and service in her heart daily and fiercely treasured the lifelong bonds she forged with her Sorors.

Following her undergraduate studies, Mercedez took a gap year to teach English to high school students in Japan, who absolutely adored her. She later studied abroad at Sophia University’s International Business program in Japan. Driven to achieve, she earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 2009. Her global studies continued at Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law, focusing on International Business, Trade, and Tax Law, including a semester abroad at the Japan campus in Spring 2009. She went on to successfully pass the bar exams in both Maryland and Ohio.

Mercedez began her distinguished professional career as a temporary professional in the DMV area before returning home to Columbus. She joined DNV GL in Dublin, Ohio, as a Contract Administrator and was promoted to Contracts Manager and Attorney in 2015. In 2017, she transitioned to public service as Legal Counsel for the Ohio Department of Health. In 2021, she joined Cardinal Health as Counsel in Commercial Transactions, where her talent and dedication led to a promotion to Senior Legal Counsel after just two years—a position she held until transitioning to long-term disability. This final role was the culmination of her years of tireless hard work and academic dedication. Throughout her illness, the team at Cardinal Health showed true care, respect, and unwavering support, reflecting the profound impact she made on her colleagues.

Mercedez met the love of her life, Matthew Stinson, in 2004 inside an Old Navy store, where their “meet-cute” was instant. From the very beginning, it was clear they were meant to be. Matt later proposed in Washington, D.C., under the shadow of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and Mercedez gave him an emphatic “yes!” They were married on the beach in a beautiful destination wedding at the Riu Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, in October 2012, surrounded by their closest family and friends.

Together, they blessed the world with two beautiful children: Marley, born in 2014, and Maverick, born in 2018. Their love for their children was palpable. Marley and Maverick take after their mother in so many wonderful ways—Marley with her quick, intelligent quips, and Maverick with his bright, contagious laugh that lights up his eyes. Mercedez and Matt were married for just shy of fourteen wonderful years, and she will forever remain Matt’s Eternal Queen. From heaven, she will continue to watch over, love, and protect her precious children and devoted husband.

To know Mercedez was to know her radiant smile, her sharp intelligence, and her unforgettable laughter (complete with her signature snort). She was an avid traveler who explored Southeast Asia, climbed Mount Fuji, rode elephants in Thailand, and made lifelong friends across the globe. Jamaica held a special place in her heart—a destination she returned to often to build beautiful memories with her family. Selfless, resilient, and remarkably strong, caring for her family was the anchor of her life. She fiercely put her children first in everything she did.

When faced with her illness, Mercedez courageously cast aside any suggestions of standard palliative care. Instead, she chose to fight, traveling across the United States in search of innovative clinical trials, advanced treatments, and hope. She fought tirelessly to secure more precious time, ensuring that every available moment was spent wrapping her children in her love.

Mercedez was preceded in death by her grandparents, Herbert and Marie Joyce, and Marion and Ernestine Johnson; her uncles, Michael Johnson, Jeffrey Joyce, Bobby Joyce, and Pat Joyce; and her aunts, Midge Cloud and Nadine Joyce.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory her loving husband, Matthew Stinson; her beloved children, Marley and Maverick; her devoted parents, Eddie and Michel Joyce; her sister, Jazmine (Jude) Dupart; her mother-in-law, Angela Nickens; her sisters-in-law, Courtney and Brandy Nickens; her cherished nieces and nephews, Ezra, Savannah, Christian, Makaila, and Cheyenne; her uncle Myo (Carmella) Johnson; her best friends, Careena, Monica, and Mavis; and a vast host of uncles, aunts, cousins, dear friends, and Sorors whose lives were forever brightened by her presence.

Though we grieve her physical absence, we celebrate a magnificent life that reflected strength, love, joy, and authenticity. Her legacy lives on eternally in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

— 2 Timothy 4:7