Monika Ashita Ena Smith-Davis, 45, gained her wings on February 17, 2026.
Born April 15, 1980, in Akron, Ohio, Monika was raised in North Akron and educated through Akron Public Schools. She later continued her studies at Sanford-Brown College.
Monika dedicated over 20 years of her life to the medical field, serving others with both skill and strength. At the same time, she embodied the spirit of an entrepreneur—building lucrative ventures and developing multiple successful brand identities, including StudioNeek© and Nina’s Edible Novelties©. She was a visionary who understood how to turn creativity into currency. She overcame adversity all the while making it look good.
Above all, she was a devoted mother to four children and a proud grandmother to four grandchildren, roles she carried with depth, intensity, and love.
Monika was a fierce soul—unapologetically herself with a charisma that could not be duplicated. Her laugh was contagious, and once she started, you felt it too! She called it exactly how she saw it. She described herself as non-traditional and a realist—and she stood firmly in that truth. Intelligent, thoughtful, intuitive, loyal, passionate, driven, sensitive, and protective of her boundaries—Monika did not shrink for anyone.
She loved her family deeply and carried pride in its rich history. If she loved you, you knew it. And if she didn’t, you probably knew that too.
She was preceded in death by brother, Acea Smith; sister-in-law Shatika A. Salter (Andre, Jr.); brother-in-law, Derrick Davis (Tinika); grandmothers, Hallie Thomas and Eula Moore;
great-grandmother, Lillian Thomas; grandfathers, Serge Thomas, Sr. and Roosevelt Smith; great aunt, Evelyn Morris.
Monika leaves to cherish her legacy her mother, Chani Mia; father, Andre Smith, Sr.; husband, Daniel Davis; sons, Taye’Von Wells, Victor Wells, De’Andre Smith (Victor “Taye” Wells, Sr.); daughter, Nina Monai Davis; daughter-in-law, Keasia Ray; grandchildren, Onyx and Nasir Wells (Tayevon), Kavari and Kaveah Wells (Victor), sisters, Andrea Smith-Childs, Alicia Smith, Tinika Davis, Desire Littlejohn, Dionna Brooks; brothers, Andre Smith, Jr., Le’Andre (Jeaneen) Littlejohn; Le’Anthony Littlejohn; Steven Hill; Darmetrice Smith; Thomas Watson; DeMichael Gibson; aunts, Mauricette Thomas, Nadine Bagley, Erica Smith Dismuke; uncle, Serge Thomas, Jr. ;nieces, Tamyla F. Smith, Imani Davis, Jodae Tucker, Precious Littlejohn, Rashae Smith, Jaree Smith, Precious Foster, Olivia and Sincere Littlejohn; bonus mom’s, Aunt Ruby Vinson and Donna Long; bonus sister: Laquia Whatley; special friends, Ashanti Edwards, Ieashia Richmond, Torika Hopson and a host of great aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and dear friends.
A celebration of Monika’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Sommerville Funeral Services.