27-05-2025
Mourning father said he hopes daughter's death helps domestic violence victims
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It's been four days since Jyrah Smith, a South Memphis mother of three, was killed.
'Yesterday, I was okay, but today, I'm in my moment,' Jyrah's father, Tamarkus Smith, said. 'I'm really in my moment.'
Her boyfriend, Deangelo Mitchell, has now been charged with second-degree murder.
Man says he shot woman thinking she was 'male with dreads:' police
Smith, who's still mourning the loss of his beloved 23-year-old daughter, said he remembers her as a happy soul.
'She was loving, she was caring,' Tamarkus Smith said. 'Everybody who knew her and was around her said she was a happy soul. She was always positive, talking about God and never in trouble.'
Like many fathers and daughters, Jyrah and Tamarkus would talk daily.
Their last conversation was about upcoming plans for the Fourth of July.
'She said 'Dad, Z is having a get-together for the Fourth of July, are you coming?' I said yes baby, I'll be there,' Smith recalled. '[She said] make sure you come dad.' And I said I'll be there! Now on the Fourth of July, we dedicating the Fourth of July in her memory.'
Jyrah leaves behind three young children, whom Tamarkus said he plans on helping raise.
ORIGINAL STORY: Mother of 3 killed in South Memphis shooting; suspect on the run
He's also helped organize a GoFundMe to help raise money for funeral costs.
He told WREG that his biggest hope is that his daughter's death will be a lesson for someone else going through domestic violence.
'And I want my daughter to be an advocate for domestic violence, Smith said. 'I want my daughter's death to be a positive for someone, saying 'I'm going to get out of the situation' because my daughter – she is gone. I hope her death can help someone else out.'
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