This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Kendra Mercedes Smith who was born in Washington, DC at Providence Hospital on April 5, 1981 and passed away on September 7, 2004 at the age of 23. Please light a candle, share your condolences, or write a tribute in her honor. We will remember her forever.
Kendra was an innocent victim who lost her life due to a senseless act of gun violence in a Washington, DC neighborhood.
OUR PURPOSE: "TO COMMEMORATE AND HONOR THE MEMORY OF KENDRA AKA MUFFY SMITH. THIS IS TO BE DONE THROUGH "ENCOURAGING" WORDS WITH RESPECT FOR ALL PERSONS. PLEASE USE THIS SITE FOR WHICH IT IS INTENDED."
THANK YOU,
THE CLOSE FAMILY, LOVED ONES, AND FRIENDS OF KENDRA SMITH
AS A RESULT OF THIS DEVASTATING TRADEGY, A MOVEMENT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE WASHINGTON, DC METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE TO THE KENDRA SMITH FAMILY LIFELINE MOVEMENT PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
KENDRA SMITH FAMILY LIFELINE MOVEMENT P.O. BOX 64093 WASHINGTON, DC 20029-4093 Functioning as Nonprofit Organization, the Mission of the Kendra Smith Family Lifeline Movement is to provide emotional support to families victimized by homicides while fostering violent crime prevention methods to our misguided youth and other community residents.
NEW UPDATES!!!!
Kendra Smith Family LifeLine Movement Update: 2006-2007
The Brady Campaign asked Mrs. Deborah Evans-Bailey, Moth of Kendra Smith to be The Guest Speaker for their "Stand Up for A Safe America" Annual Gala. This was an important invite for the Kendra Smith Family LifeLine Movement. The event took place on May 15, 2007.
Check out the web site for the full article and a few of the photos on www.bradycenter.org/donate/events/2007/dc or type in "Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence"
click on "Join us at our exciting Brady Center Events" on the right side of the website (look for the photo of Stallone & Bernnie Mac)
The name of the article is "Join the Brady Center at Fundraising Events Across the County"
BONUS BONUS A few minutes of the speech can be found on YouTube. Check it out. Go to YouTube. Type in Brady Center. Photos of the event will pop up. You should see a photo of Mrs. Evans-Bailey. Click on the photo.
DC Council Hearing: February 23, 2006: Along with other mothers of homicide, community leaders and DC residents, Deborah Evans-Bailey submitted testimony before DC Council at the Performance Oversight Hearing for the Metropolitan Police Department. Main concern was the lack of communication between MPD and families of homicide victims. Go to DC.Gov to view past, present and or live Hearings on line. Click on “DC Government”; scroll to “DC Council,” click on the official website for “District Council,” click “View Past Hearings;” click on date.
Results:
• DC Police Department updated their website. Updated information includes but not limited to homicide statistics, community events, sex offender info. and much more. Go to DC.Gov; click on DC Government; click on Police Department.
• DC Police Department now host “The Next of Kin” meetings. Immediate family members of 2004, 2005, and 2006 Open Homicide Cases are invited to schedule an appointment with a homicide detective. The 4th“Next of Kin” meeting is scheduled for APRIL 4, 2007 from 3 PM – 8 PM at the Institute of Police Science at 4665 Blue Plaines, SW Washington, DC 20032. A Flyer will be sent in a separate email.
DC Council Hearing: November 29, 2006 (public notice of introduction date): Along with other mothers of homicide, community leaders and DC residents, Deborah Evans-Bailey submitted testimony before DC Council at the Public Hearing Committee on the Judiciary. Legislation B16-907: Comprehensive Homicide Elimination Strategy Task Force Act of 2006" (Murder Free DC). Go to DC.Gov to view legislation and/or view Hearing.
Results:
• Legislation was introduced very close to the election ending terms of the DC Council Chairperson and the Mayor. The legislation should have been submitted much earlier in the Term. At any rate, the legislation was added as an amendment to Legislation B16-0242: Homeland Security, Risk Reduction and Preparedness Act of 2005. Go to DC.Gov to view legislation- search for B16-0242.
Engagements: (2006-2007) Shared personal testimony at various community events. Events includes but not limited to “Stop No Snitching” forums hosted at local DC Churches, guess speaker at Tabernacles of Worship Christian Center (Youth Sunday) and Metropolitan A.M.E. Church (“Our House is on Fire” HIV/AIDS and Homicide--A Call to Prayer); three time guess speaker in Nashville, TN as a member of the Partners in the Struggle; guess speaker at various radio stations in DC and Nashville and co-sponsored “Next of Kin” meetings between the MPD and families of homicide.
Community:
• October 30, 2006: Real Guns, Kill People Rally was featured in the 16th Issue of the Our Teen Magazine. This issue was written by the children for the children in our community sharing their views on the senseless crimes that plague us all. If you would like to purchase a copy of this magazine (cost $5.25), please contact Deborah Evans-Bailey on 202-316-5269. This African American owned magazine is published bimonthly. 1 year subscriptions are available for $41.50. If you are interested in advertising or subscribing, please contact Paris Fenwick on 301-702-7350. Let her know that the Kendra Smith Family LifeLine Movement referred you --*a percentage of all proceeds are donated to the Kendra Smith Family LifeLine Movement.
• January 5, 2007: Deborah Evans-Bailey was sworn in as the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC 7A02) at the DC Convention Center. The ceremony took place at the Mayoral Inauguration. Serving for a two year term, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANCs) are composed of elected neighborhood residents, who advise the District government on particular issues affecting their areas, including planning, transportation, social services, health, public safety, sanitation, and Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) licensing. Please feel free to forward community information, activities and/or events by email to Deborah Evans-Bailey at “7A02@anc.dc.gov or devans029@aol.com.
Founder of Kendra Smith Family LifeLine Movement Speaks! To Hear Mrs. Evans-Bailey speak about the demise of our Beloved Muffy, fast foward real player to 4:34.
Kendra's story was featured in the 7th issue of a local magazine called "Our Teen Magazine." Courtney's Poem (my 16 year old daughter, and Kendra's Little Sister) "Tick Tock Tick" is printed in the 13th Issue of "Our Teen Magazine".
In short, "Our Teen Magazine" is a unique magazine that honor young local males, females and children in our community. It provide stories from an array of categories from a teens point of view. Their ultimate goal is to feature local talented teens, local celebrities, and all of our local youth programs.
Copies of the 7th Issue (which featured Kendra's story) are still available.
*Magazines are available upon request. *The cost of the magazines are $5.25 (not including $1.35 for postage). *Delivery can be arranged. *Accepting cash or checks. Checks and Money orders can be made out to the Kendra Smith Family LifeLine Movement
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE TO HELP IN ANY WAY, PLEASE CONTACT:
IF ANY FAMILY MEMBER, OR FRIEND HAS ANY PHOTOGRAPHS OF KENDRA AND THEMSELVES THAT THEY WOULD LIKE FEATURED ON THIS SITE, PLEASE E-MAIL THEM TO ME AT: jschumpert1981@gmail.com
UPDATE:This site now as a feature where you can upload photos on your own, however they will have to be approved by the site manager. Thank you!
The Music Playing: JoAnn Rosario, "I Hear You Say."
Tributes and Condolences
Accepting that you are gone... / Nameless
Accepting that you are gone - I still find difficulty doing so.. From time to time, I still find myself sending you an e-mail, flipping my cell phone scrolling for your number - calling to check up on you. Only to find that there will be ...
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I Finally / Aunt Si'Mone (Aunt)
Hey Muff;
I finally have bought my self back to your site. I guess, in my mind's eye, avoidance, made the reality less real. But, It's true, you're gone, and as I listen to Zae's laughter, in the background, your presenc...
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MISSING YOU / Imani Abney (little cousin )
KENDRA IT HAS BEEN HARD WITHOUT U. I MISS HEARING YOU AND YOUR LOKES ABOUT MY AGE ADN HOW WE HAD FUN TOGETHER. I KNOW YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE AND YOUR WATCHING OVER US BUT ITS STILL HARD WITH YOU NOT BEING A CALL AWAY. I REMEBER EVERY TH...
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Kendra's Calling / Jennifer Schumpert (Best Friend )
Its been a minute since I've decided to write a tribute. I guess, I just enjoyed sitting back and reading all the wonderful things that people have to say about you. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?! That your death would have affected so many people in a pos...
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A Year Later / Nycole Shealy (Cousin from Cali )
Gosh Muff, One year ago I got the worst news of my life. I have struggled during this year to come to terms with what September 6, 2004 means to me. Really I am still struggling with it. I would come on your memorial site and rea...
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Merry Christmas Family! "Praise Paralyzes the Enemy" / Jennifer S. (best-friend)Read >>
I Miss You/To my Auntie and the family / Latetia Bland (Close Cousin)Read >>
What did i miss??/ Lauren ("future" friend)Read >>
Kendra Mercedes Smith, affectionately known as Muffy, was born on April 5, 1981, in Washington, D.C., to Deborah Evans-Bailey and Derrick Smith, Sr.
Kendra was educated in the D.C. Public Schools, and graduated with honors from BannekerAcademicHigh School, while her insatiable thirst for knowledge, led to the completion of her Bachelor of Arts, in Communications, with a minor in Business, also with honors, from TempleUniversity, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 2003.She recently fulfilled her lifelong desire to travel abroad by going to Rome, Italy, where she studied Economics and Finance, in the International Studies program.
Kendra was a Christian, and steadfast in the Lord as she was spiritually reared, under the tutelage of the Greater Saint John Church, her family and growing further at, ZionChurch.Her uncanny desire to love her fellow man as Christ loved us, led to her integral involvement in several civic, political and community based organizations.She was the President of Temple Universities Communications Society, a Representing Delegate for the NAACP, Outreach Assistant, for the Philadelphia City Council, Intern at WPHI Radio, and a Concierge at the Hyatt Regency, in downtown Philly.She was a familiar face around the N.E. Performing Arts Group, Representative for the Board of Directors of College Bound, the Give and Take Business Network, the National Association of Female Executive Owners, and most recently, the Committee to Elect Mia Hairston-Hamilton.
At the age of fourteen, finally being eligible to work for the Mayors Summer Youth Program, she refused to accept the blind alley positions opened to youth and exercising the ambition, she was known for, she searched the Yellow Pages, for a job.She informed all that she was only 14, but that she had a work permit in hand, thus landing a position, that planted the seeds of business acumen, ethics and organization which, allowed her to identify, what she wanted to do with her life.
Her crowning achievement, shared by her family and Walter Watson, was the birth of their beautiful Zaelyn Amore.
Left with many fond and cherished memories are; her daughter Zaelyn Amore Watson, her special friend Walter Watson, her parents Deborah Evans-Bailey and Derrick Smith Sr., her sisters; Courtney Evans, Nicole and Dershawn Smith, her brothers; Justin and Derrick Smith Jr., her grandparents; Lorraine Clyburn, Frederick Bland, Edward Freeman, Pearl Huskins and Norman Smith Sr., her Great Grandmother; Alma Jordan, 14 Aunts, 12 Uncles, 10 Great Aunts, 8 Great Uncles and a multitude of cousins and friends.
“Say not in grief: She is no more,’ But Live in Thankfulness that She was”
The Family
The Legacy of Kendra Mercedes Smith
When my time has run out and the well has run dry
When my body has grown tired in the event of my demise
When I’ve climbed many mountains, whether I’ve reached the top or not
When I’ve established my namesake and you can never say you forgot
When I’ve seen the unseen and uncovered the unknown
When I’ve fulfilled God’s promises so I may kneel at his throne
When I’ve given all of you my love and taught whom I could teach
When my spirit communes with Jesus and I’m no longer in your reach
Remember my ingenuity I’ve tried hard to display
Remember my creativity and the work I put in everyday
Remember my silly ways, how I could make you laugh even with a broken heart
Remember the individual time spent, and how we’ve hit it off from the start
Remember the mistakes I’ve made, and how I always tried to make things right
Remember those fun times, when we partied throughout the night
Remember what I’ve stood for, and the injustices I’ve endured
Remember the bridges were never burned, and what I’ve been able to procure
Remember the hugs & kisses I gave you the times when you were up or down
Remember when I was your shoulder to cry on when no one else was around
Remember my femininity and my strength to carry on
Remember the music I loved including my favorite songs
Please don’t cry over me for I’m in a better place
A place where true love and peace is never out of date
The Lord has given me assurance that Zaelyn will be alright
And blankets of love will continue to envelop my baby throughout the nights
Hopefully, reminiscing, and knowing these things will make you laugh or make you smile
Give you some comfort and some peace
And help you realize that time is always worthwhile…
Tributes and Condolences
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