De'Aire Maurice Lee Craighead

DE’AIRE MAURICE LEE CRAIGHEAD, affectionately known to his close friends as “D Bandos,” was born November 17, 2006, to Sharday Kennedy and Ronnie Craighead. He was a beloved son, a caring brother, adored nephew, and a fun-loving young man who could light up a room with his smile. He attended KIPP Columbus High School.

Little De’Aire was a modern-day Dennis the Menace with overactive energy and inadvertently getting into mischief. He had a personality that with even just one encounter with him, you would remember him for a lifetime. He was baptized at Apostolic Light House Temple where his grandmother Arlethia Craighead is a member. De’Aire was always eager to say the blessing at family gatherings. He played basketball at Woodward Park Recreation Center and little league football for the Wolverines, Columbus Raiders, and Columbus War Ducks. Though he hadn’t played sports in the past few years, he was a natural athlete and enjoyed showing off his skills at family events.

De’Aire Maurice Lee Craighead gained his eternal wings unexpectedly on December 25, 2022, at the age of 16.

He leaves to cherish his memory: parents, Sharday Kennedy and Ronnie Craighead; maternal grandparents, Venetta Kennedy, William Rankin, Vernon West, and Anthony Cabell; paternal grandparents, Kevin Baker and Arlethia Craighead; siblings, Damai Craighead, Rea’Jon, and Rea’Yanni Dunning; aunts and uncles, Shawnte’ (Terry) Kennedy, Lakeisha (Jamar) West, Tiana Rankin, Sheena Cabell, Enrico Lawrence, Keith West, Lamar West, Shawn West, Michael Craighead, and Reginald Stockton; godparents, Antone Leftwich and Lacron Knaff; girlfriend, Nevaeh Cleveland; and a host of family and friends.

I know y’all may think I am no longer here, but just know my spirit is always near. Gained my wings a little early, but God had a better plan for me than this place here. To keep you all from weeping, just think of my contagious smile and me saying, “ON!”

Know this is not the end but a farewell until we meet again!

Love, De’Aire

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