Marquez Hunter Coles, 16, affectionately known as “Kez” passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 4, 2023.
He was born on January 21, 2007, in Morgantown, to Cherokee Coles and Martin Tinsley, Jr.
Kez was a student at University High School. Marquez this school year gave up his basketball shoes and put on his cleats where he played football for University High School Hawks.
Marquez was a loving, kind, captivating young man, who made a great impact on everyone he came in contact with. If you were blessed to have been in Marquez’s presence, even for one brief moment, you would have experienced a life-changing occurrence in the best way possible. You would have left his presence with a smile on your face and laughter in your heart. Kez had a way about himself that drew you in. His family and friends say his kindness, humor, pranks, and goofiness will be the things the miss most. He loved his siblings with the utmost passion — a bond that could never be broken — even in this season. He enjoyed sports, gaming, being with his family and spending time with friends. Marquez gained his wings from this life, but his mark he made will never be forgotten.
Marquez leaves to cherish his precious memories his mother, Cherokee Coles, and his dad, Warren Young of the home; his father, Martin Tinsley, Jr., and his companion, Amiyah Pugh; five sisters Zhiare Johnson, Kyara and Zhionna Lofton, Maliyah and Mariyah Young all of Morgantown; four brothers, Jaeden Hammack, Khalil Coleman, Warren Young and Trenton Savage, all of Morgantown; maternal grandmother, Debra Coles; paternal grandmother, Barbara Tinsley of Va.; and paternal grandfather, Joseph Young of Ala.; four nephews; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, as well as an unlimited list of friends.
Marquez was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, John Wilson; paternal grandmother, Dale Fulton; paternal grandfather, Martin Tinsley, Sr.; paternal grandmother, Wanda Young; and maternal great-grandparents Peter and Eunice Coles.
Smith Funeral & Cremation Care of Westover/Morgantown is humbled to provide care and guidance to his family.
Friends may join the family to honor Marquez’s life and legacy at Kingdom: A Community Church, 540 Fairmont Rd., Westover, WV 26501, from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, June 12, and again from 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. officiated by Bishop Scott Dixon. Immediately following the funeral service, interment will follow at Bethel Cemetery in Maidsville.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing directly to the funeral home to assist the family with funeral expenses by visiting their website at www.smithfcc.com, or by calling 304-292-9494.
