DeMario Antwan Padgett

DeMario Antwan Padgett was 32 years of age and known to many as “Mario” or “Mar Guwop.” He was born Thursday, August 23, 1990, to his mother, Nikkita Padgett, and father, Willie Lipsey. DeMario transitioned to the spirit realm Friday, March 3, 2023.

DeMario was a proud graduate of Focus Learning Academy and showed extreme determination to make sure that he achieved that accomplishment. In completing his high school graduation, he became an example to his peers and brothers and encouraged them to complete their educational goals. Wop was a hard worker and helped the family to grow the family businesses with aspirations of opening his own business.

DeMario conquered two of his fears just last year, flying and boating. Wop believed that people shouldn’t take flights, because they couldn’t control whether the plane would crash, and no boating because the boat could sink, and people could drown. But he took that first flight in April 2022 for his brother Bear Deno’s birthday trip to Miami, Florida. It was at the time of takeoff that he stated, “It’s not as bad as I thought it would be,” and was looking forward to the next flight. Wop also rode a Jet Ski for the first time while on the trip hitting the top speed of 55 mph, smacking the waves of salt water while doing donuts and loving every minute of it. Wop even got on a paddle boat with his two nieces, Pooh and MyMy at the cabin in New Richmond in hopes to catch a turtle out of the private lake that sat on the property. He held onto the dock acting like he was pushing off while the girls had the paddles, trying to figure out why the boat wasn’t moving. That was so hilarious to watch from the balcony of the cabin and times like those warmed his soul. A chance to get away from the city and live the country life became an aspiration of his at that moment.

DeMario had a light that shined so brightly on everyone whom he loved, and he was full of comedic humor and positive energy that everyone around him would bask in. Wop was proud to be a big brother to Bear Deno, Baebee Jesus, and Dorian, spending time with them playing video games, on the basketball court, and debating about politics and current events. Just wholesome family time was his favorite. Family was extremely important to Wop and being close-knit was something that he strived for even in trying times.

DeMario will be remembered as a loving son, brother, uncle, and father who will be dearly missed. Mario’s family includes his mother, Nikkita Padgett; father, Willie (Rhonda) Lipsey; two children, DeMarion Padgett and Dyana Byrd; grandparents; brothers; and cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles. DeMario was preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Edna Mae Winston, grandmother, Lanora Jones, and great-great- grandfather, Albert Paster.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of DeMario Antwan Padgett, please visit our floral store.