D'Huntaquan Christopher Ali Mitchell

D’Huntaquan Christopher Ali Mitchell was born Tuesday, December 29, 1998 in Newark, New Jersey to his mother, Gloria Lynn Mitchell.  Two weeks later, he was taken home by his mother, MaryAnn Givens-Hayes and father Fred Hayes.  He was raised under their roof until his death Thursday, September 15, 2022.

D’Huntaquan was known to everyone as Smooch.  As a baby, his daycare teacher, Ms Sara, gave him the nick name “Smooches” because whenever someone lifted him up, he would try to give them juicy smooches.  Smooch moved to Columbus, Ohio in 2001 where most of his memorable life experiences took place.  He attended Lil’ Apple daycare, Heyl Elementary and Blendon Middle School.  He learned carpentry through Youth Build and received his GED in 2018.  He worked various jobs during his short life trying to find his fit in this world.  

Smooch was always energetic and excelled in any sport that he participated in.  He enjoyed listening to music, rappin, dancing and gymnastics.  He watched the Olympics every four years just to see the men and women gymnastics teams.  When he was younger he dreamed of completing in the Olympics.  He was known throughout the gymnastic circuit in Columbus as the best raw talent that they had seen.

His love for gymnastics never went away.  He would do a back flip just because.  Recently, he tried to teach his nephew, Kainen how to flip however, it ended with Smooch busting the air mattress.  That was a happy and fun time for Smooch, busted mattress and all.  Smooch will forever be remembered for his beautiful Kool-Aid smile. 

He kept that smile even though he was heart broken over the loss of his brother, Syamuad.  But, he found love and comfort through his girl friend Lorrell Branche, and the fact that he would be a first-time dad and the baby would be a boy.

Smooch will forever be misses by those who knew and loved him.  Smooches leaves to more his short and loving life:  His only child D’Huntaquan Christopher Ali Mitchell Jr., his loving companion Lorrell Branche, his parents, Gloria Lynn Mitchell, MaryAnn Givens-Hayes and Fred Hayes, his siblings, the late Sharmaine White, Frederick White, Perzenia “Tinka” Bello and husband Rasaq Bello, Terod and Terrell White, Peqwaana “Muki” Wilson and husband  Timothy “Jab” Wilson, Abu-Bakr “Yab” Givens, Jahmeelah and Glenn “Ish” Mitchell, Al-mukaddim “Al” “Noofie” Godley, Ash-Shakurah “Peaches” Short and husband Taija Short, Al-Nisha “MadPie” Hayes, the late Mutaquin Syamuad Mitchell and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.