Erica Deshaye King

Erica DeShaye King, of Columbus, Ohio stepped into the loving arms of Jesus on September 24, 2021. She is deeply loved and will be forever missed.

Erica was born July 31, 1981 to the late Lucille King and Martin Smart. She graduated from Franklin Heights High School in 1999. She then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and two Master’s Degrees. Erica could do anything she put her mind to. She was full of life and lived her life to the fullest. She was a teacher, guiding students through learning the English language through McDonald’s Corporate Campus. She was a technical consultant, guiding customers and encouraging colleagues at Apple, Inc. for the past several years. She was a fierce and loving mother who wanted to give her kids the world. She was a devoted aunt and daughter. She was a sister that embodied the best of what a sister is.

Erica was a lover of puzzles, Target, the Dallas Cowboys, Harry Potter and Charmed. She loved being the family Easter Bunny, making baskets overflowing with sweets as well as love. She was as smart as she was beautiful, as headstrong as she was kind, and as loving as she was giving. Erica had the biggest, prettiest smile and an even bigger heart. She had a light that drew people to her and brought joy and laughter wherever she went. Our hearts do not understand why she is gone, but we know that she is with Christ. Erica was strong in her faith and lived it out day by day. She was strong in the Word and prayed beautifully with and for her family and others.

Erica was preceded in death by her mother, Lucille King; maternal grandmother Evelyn King, maternal grandfather, Walter King, Sr.; paternal grandmother Dora Smart; and paternal grandfather William Smart.

She leaves to cherish her memory, son, Jameson King and daughter, Aundrea King; father, Martin Smart; stepmom, Pamela Smart; sisters, Deanna Thomas (Keith), LaShonna Johnson (Larry W.), Shenise Smart, and Vanessa Gault (Christian); fiance’, Ozzie Mannwright; nieces and nephews who all loved Auntie Erica, cousins, aunts and uncles, and countless friends and colleagues

Public Walkthrough Viewing at 12:00 noon followed by a Private Visitation 1:00 PM and Private Funeral at 2:00 PM Sunday, October 10, 2021 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave. (one block east of Noe Bixby, turn North on Lonsdale Rd). Mask and Social Distancing are required for all services and tickets are required for Private Services.