Jawuan Damarcus Williams-Smoot was the fifth of six siblings. He was born on July 8, 1998 to his birth mother, Shantell Williams (Sharp). On October 15, 2003, Jawuan was adopted by Dr. Marlene Smoot, who raised him until her health declined in 2013. Jawuan was then placed in the care of Patricia Lewis from 2014 until her passing in 2018.

Dr. Smoot made sure Jawuan knew his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jawuan had the opportunity to travel with Dr. Smoot on numerous occasions to various church conventions, speaking engagements and Baptist General State Congress of Christian education. Dr. Smoot also made sure he understood what it meant to be a servant for the Lord. Jawuan confessed his love for Christ at the age of thirteen at Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor John H. Rouse.

Jawuan's passion for Christ led him to participate in numerous ministries within the faith community. One of his highlighted acheivements was becoming the President of the New Salem District Baptist Youth Fellowship from 2014 to 2016.

Jawuan had a special gift from God, he loved to dance whether it was church, African dance or hip-hop. His favorite was Mime dancing. He would mime anywhere and to anyone, to make sure he was do what he was called to do, which was minister to the people.

In May 2016, Jawuan received his High School Diploma from East Saint Louis Senior High School. After graduation, Jawuan enlisted in the United States Army. In July of 2016, Jawuan attended Basic Training for the United States Army at Fort Still Army Base located in Lawton, Oklahoma. Upon completion of basic training, Jawuan was stationed at Fort Sill, where his duty was Assistant Chaplain. In October 2019, Sgt. Smoot was transferred to Fort Leavenworth Army Base in Kansas to assume his duty as a Spiritual and Religious Counselor.

During his twenty-one years of life, Jawuan received a plethora of awards and certificates of achievements in the community and within the military. Leave it to Jawuan enlisting in the military would not be the end of him excelling. Setting goals and accomplishing them in record time with dignity and great work ethic was very important to Jawuan. In May 2019, Jawuan received his Associates of Business Degree from Upper Iowa University, while serving in the military. Due to his great work ethic, he was able to become Sargent at the tender age of twenty-one. At the time of his passing, Sgt. Smoot was in the process of obtaining his Bachelor's Degree in Business. Jawuan made it his business to visit all his family and friends whenever he returned home.

He was preceded in death by his adopted mothers, Dr. Marlene Smoot and Patricia Lewis; adopted brother, Lafayette Smoot; brother, Reginald Sharp, Jr.' great grandfather, Frank Borders; great grandmother, Bessie Williams; godfather, Morris Hunt and several other close family members.

Sgt. Smoot is survived by his birth mother ~ Shantell Williams (Sharp); sisters ~ Vynadra (Marlas) Johnson, Garreisha (Louis) Dotson and Brittney Sharp; one brother ~ Wesley Haire, Jr.; grandmother ~ Cozetta Brown; one aunt ~ Deonka Brown; one nephew ~ Javon; four nieces ~ Myonna, Jayoni, Kyla and Amilyah; godmother ~ Flossie Hunt; spiritual mentors ~ Shekima Turner and Otis Woodard, Wilma Bourrage, Daijah and his entire adopted family and a multitude of other family and friends.