Prince Jakim Griffith

Jakim was a caring and generous young man who always looked out for his family and friends. His comical demeanor was a joy to anyone that he encountered.  He had the personality and charisma of a mature smooth-talker and it was impossible not to feel beautiful or happiness when he smiled at you.          

Jakim was educated through the Tompkins County school system in Ithaca, New York.  He was a star basketball player while attending Ithaca H.S., and led his team to win several championships. He is a graduate of Ithaca High School. He began his college career in August 2009 at Tompkins County Community College (TC3) in Dryden, New York.    

Jakim’s positive carefree spirit and mile-wide smile were a blessing to all those he came in contact with. His love was more powerful than anyone can imagine; and his love will always remain within us. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Augustus Slaughter Jr.; and his paternal great-grandfather Augustus Slaughter Sr.  He leaves a legacy of love and devotion and his memory to be cherished by his father Randolph and his wife Samantha; his mother MeMe and her fiancé Robert; his three brothers- Andrew, Saquan, and Trevon; his two sisters- Quiana, and Shayna; his brother-in-law Kerron; his paternal grandmother Earline; his maternal grandfather Gerald; his maternal grandmother Pookie and her husband Fred; his maternal great-grandparents Jasee and Julia; two nephews; three nieces; seven uncles; nine aunts; a host of cousins and other relatives; a loving girlfriend, and countless faithful friends.  

Dominque Elijah Slaughter-Smith returned home to his Heavenly Father on April 8^th, 2012. He was born on May 22^nd, 1991 to the late Ronald Smith, and Cynthia Slaughter in Brooklyn, New York.          

Dominque was a caring and generous young man who always looked out for his family and friends. He had sharp wits that others sometimes called “sarcasm”.  He was always energetic and his spirits forced you to smile when he walked into a room. With the focus of a man much older in years, he knew what he wanted out of life and his drive and tenacity had him on that path.         

Dominque was educated through the Tompkins County (New York) and Fulton County (Georgia) school systems. He graduated Creekside High School in May 2009 in Fairburn, Georgia. He began his college career in August 2009 at Alabama A & M University in Normal, Alabama. He transferred schools for his sophomore year and attended Georgia Perimeter in Decatur, Georgia and later transferred again to Saint John University. He was currently in his junior year at Saint John University in Queens, New York. He was employed with Kids Orbitz After School Program in Brooklyn, New York.   

Dominque’s infectious smile and positive spirits were a blessing to all those he came in contact with. His love was more powerful than anyone can imagine; and that his will always remain within us. He is preceded in death by his father, Ronald Smith; his maternal grandfather Augustus Slaughter Jr.; his paternal grandmother Sadie; and his maternal great-grandfather Augustus Slaughter Sr.; his paternal uncles Robert and Jerome; and his paternal aunt Jeanette.He leaves a legacy of love and devotion and his memory to be cherished by his stepfather Leonard III and mother Cynthia; his three brothers- Ronald Jr., Daequan, and Leonard IV; his seven sisters- Daleah, Denequa, Danielle, Dacquetti, Donashia, Davonna, and Daziya; his God-sister Kerri, his two brothers-in-law Jean, and Tarrant; his sister-in-law Tamara; his maternal grandmother Earline; eight nephews; four nieces; four uncles; seven aunts; a host of cousins and other relatives; his best friends Richard and Ari; and countless faithful friends. 

Friends may call at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 14 from noon until the funeral service at 1:30.  Repast to follow at the Beverly J. Martin School.