Marquia Hunter

Marquia Lashawn “Quia” Hunter (born November 20, 1986) grew up in Dayton, Ohio, where family and community were at the center of her life. Described by those who loved her as sassy, outgoing, and never meeting a stranger, Marquia brought laughter and loyalty to the people around her from an early age. She attended Belmont High School, where she served as a JROTC officer, and later graduated from ITT Technical Institute in 2008. Those school years helped shape a practical skill set that she carried into her work life.

Marquia found fulfillment both professionally and personally. She worked in the automotive retail field and served as an assistant manager at AutoZone, a role where coworkers remember her as dependable and skilled — especially with car repairs, a talent that made the job a good fit. Family was central to her identity; she was a devoted mother to her son, Abraham C. Johnson (born July 11, 2018), who was often called the light of her life. She also cherished close bonds with siblings, extended family, and lifelong friends from her ROTC days.

Faith and music were part of Marquia’s story from childhood. She was baptized and active in church youth programs, singing in the children’s choir and participating in youth activities that connected her to older relatives who guided and inspired her. In her free time she enjoyed telling stories, playing spades, dancing, taking photographs, shooting pool, and joking with those around her — small pleasures that reflected a lively, social spirit.

Her family remembered Marquia for a tender, mothering heart toward younger cousins and friends’ children, and for a warmth that made gatherings livelier. Though public records document the suddenness of her passing in March 2025, those who knew her left the clearest record of who she was: a loving mother, a loyal friend, and a woman whose smile and expressive presence stayed with people who loved her.

Marquia’s life mattered to many people in Dayton. While public sources verify the circumstances of her death and subsequent legal actions, what endures most in family remembrances are the everyday acts of care and the laughter she shared. Her son, siblings, parents, and wide circle of friends continue to honor her memory, carrying forward the warmth she gave to those around her.