De'Monte Rayford

De’Monte Marquel Rayford, age 20, was born on Thanksgiving Day November 25, 1999, at Riverside Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He was the son of Lamonte Rayford Sr. and Abathia Franklin. De’Monte was called home to be with the world suddenly, but his impact on the world is bright. Demonte was well mannered and well respected, in the years he lived.

“Dae Dae” developed his nickname as a young man for being uniquely special. Alongside his outgoing personality as a young tot, it was his intelligence which set him apart. De’monte learned his ABC’s, count & spell before the age of one. As a child he enjoyed playing baseball, basketball & football. Football being above his favorite. De’monte played baseball with the Far East Recreation League & football with the Midwest Sports League (Linden Eagles, Columbus Benals, The Gaiters, & The Pairtos). Dae Dae may have been one of the most eccentric players on the team, but his heart and passion for the game knew no bounds. He achieved numerous awards & trophies due to  his natural athletic ability

He attended Columbus City Schools and graduated from Academy Urban Scholars High School in 2018. As a teenager, De’Monte moved with his grandparents, where he developed a strong bond with his grandmother. He was a family guy and his love for his siblings. Demonte tried his best to offered his siblings a strong role model.  He made it a priority to always be available for his brothers and sisters.

As a young adult, De’monte became known as Monte and Gleesh to his friends. He grew to become a jack of all trades. Dae Dae enjoyed spending time with his animals & cars. He was driven with being a musician, tattoo artist, and entrepreneur as he was developing his talents.  De’Monte had even created his own clothing brand “TaxFree Apparel by Gleesh.”

He warmed the heart of everyone he ever met and would do anything for anyone. He will truly be missed especially his energy and “corny” laugh.

De’Monte is preceded in death great grandfather, Napoleon T. Rayford Sr.; great grandmother, Loretta Gordon; great grandmother, Rachel Rayford; grandfather, Napoleon T. Rayford Jr.; step brother, DeShawn Davis; great grandfather, Freddie Davenport; great grandfather, Charles E. Lawrence and great grandmother, Minnie Davenport.

De’Monte leaves to cherish his father, LaMonte Rayford Sr.; mother, Abathia Franklin(Darrell), his son, De’Monte Rayford Jr., dad, Michael Deese; grandparents, Carly Rayford and Charlotte (Jackie) Doodley, great grandmother, Ella Galloway; brothers, Tre’Monte Rayford, LaMonte Rayford Jr, JaVanie Anderson & Tayveion Lipsey; sisters, MiKayla Deese, MyKell Deese, Tyeisha Parks & Carly Rayford; step siblings, Amber Bland, Erickah Bland, Rimarr Bland, Richadd Bland, Destiny Davis, NuKiya Davis, Elijah Davis and Bryyonna Featherstone, aunts & uncles, Lica (Marquis) Coleman, Mechelle Rayford, Adam(Yuki) Rayford, Napoleon Rayford III, Charles Culbreath, Martisa Batey, Danielle Miles, Trintte Doodley, Lesley Hightower, Malita Wyche, Jackie Doodley Jr. and a host of special aunties, uncles, cousins and friends.

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