Marc Andre Abram-Smith

Marc Andre Abram-Smith was born on March 10, 1978 in Tujunga, CA. He was the second son of the union between Michael Anthony Smith Sr. and Michel Louise Bowman/Smith. Shortly after, the family moved to Mandan, North Dakota when Marc was 3 months old. The family lived there until February 1979, when they relocated to Ohio and stayed there until October 1981. Because of his grandmother’s failing health, Marc and his mom came back to California and dad Michael and brother Michael II rejoined them by thanksgiving that year. The family lived in Pacoima, Los Angeles, Covina and Rancho Cucamonga before ending up in the current family home in Pomona purchased in May of 1995.

Education was always important to Marc. Marc graduated from South Hills High School in 1996 but didn’t fulfill his promise he made to his dad to get his college degree until 2018 from Argosy University in Psychology and later his Masters in Higher Education in 2021 from Capella University. That year he was also inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success on August 27, 2021.

Marc enjoyed a 21-year career in Higher Education. He played instrumental roles in thousands of students lives in roles such as Student Resource Coordinator, Student Services Coordinator, Student Finance Specialist, Financial Aid Counselor, VA Certifying Official, Processing Specialist and Financial Analyst at institutions such as the University of Phoenix, Maric College, Western University of Health Sciences, Chaffey College, Argosy University, and National University.

Marc believed in social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion for all. And didn’t have any fear in fighting for what he believed was fair. His activism was seen through the many years of time he would serve and volunteer in the communities of South Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside. Through faith based and community organizations such as Unity Fellowship Church Movement, In the Meantime, Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance and in the documentary film by Bill Duke “Faces”, Marc used his people skills and charisma to captivate audiences and press for the issues that matter the most to him.

In his personal life, Marc loved those he cared for hard. This was seen in his relationships with his family and his cousins early on in life as a child and as a young adult. In 2002, he met Raymond Christopher Smith Abram (Chris), and Kevin Johnson. With their shih tzu dogs Music, Mammas and later Mika, they shared an unbreakable bond until Kevin’s death in 2011. Marc and Chris would later marry in 2015 on St. Patrick’s Day.

Marc loved to sing. His stage name was Magic Marc, and you would catch him performing anytime there was Karaoke. He frequently shared his love to us through music at Ironbark in Claremont and Laws Restaurant in Riverside or at whatever friend’s house or garage was hosting that weekend. But Marc religiously attended Club VIP in Riverside each Sunday spreading his joy to all that would listen. He called Moochie’s show church.

Marc was also preceded in death by his father Michael April 16, 2003, his favorite aunt Dara Bowman-Robinson in 2017 and cousin Barry Mendes in 2022 as well as several uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his husband Raymond Christopher Smith Abram, godson Keoni Avi Carter, his mother Michel L. Bowman-Smith, his brother Michael A Smith II, aunts, cousins, family and friends who loved him dearly. Marc died suddenly on Sunday November 12, 2023 at Pomona Valley Hospital at 4:05 am. In his short 45 years, Marc accomplished so much and is loved by so many.