Feb. 27, 2000 - May 17, 2012

ELKHART — Da'jeianna Lashay Smith, 12, passed away at 10:20 a.m. Thursday, May 17, 2012, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend from injuries sustained after being hit by a motor vehicle near her home.

She was born Feb. 27, 2000, in Elkhart.

She is survived by her mother and father, Valerie M. (Layman) and Robert E. Sinclair Jr. of Elkhart; her biological father, Wardell Smith of Elkhart; grandmothers Yong Layman and Jackie Small; grandfathers Brian Hall and Robert Layman; and grandparents Edwin and Sandra Logan.

Also sharing in the family's loss are her brothers, Dujuan Ware, Hahkeem Layman, Jekhari Grant, Kendall Smith, Isais Sinclair, Ivantre Sinclair, Adrian Trosper and Quelynn Smith; her sisters, D'ahjahnay Ware, Jada Sinclair, Dominique Smith, Genissa Ware and Alyric Grant; as well as a host of cousins, aunts and uncles.

A sister, Kianna Love, and a grandmother, Karen S. Sinclair, precede her in death.

A celebration of Da'jeianna's life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 26, 2012, at Agape Missionary Baptist Church, 248 W. Wolf Ave., in Elkhart, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. The Rev. Dr. Dannell Brown, PhD, will officiate and burial will follow in Prairie Street Cemetery in Elkhart.

Da'jeianna was a very active fifth-grader at Woodland Elementary School in Elkhart, with tons of friends and a heart of gold. She was extremely athletic and was a member of her school's track, volleyball, softball and soccer teams. She attended the YMCA after-school program, played with Cleveland Little League in the summer, roller-skated every Friday night, swam whenever she could and was a high honor roll student. She will be best remembered for her personable sense of humor and a smile that would light up a room.

Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart has been assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

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