Soraya was born on August 6, 1981 at Mount Carmel West Hospital in Columbus Ohio to Maryse Mayard-Benjamin and Michelot Benjamin. Soraya walked into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on March 27th 2021 at the age of 39. She received her diploma at Independence High School and graduated from Central State University. As one of four beautiful girls, Soraya was not only DjSoraya – the hottest female DJ in Columbus, she was a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend and a strong advocate for the LGBTQ Community. Soraya was gift given to us by GOD who embodied strength, genuineness and loving unconditionally. Soraya was diagnosed with diabetes at 17 years old. From that moment until her final day Soraya was battling many different health aliments. If you spent one second with Soraya, you wouldn’t have known this. Throughout her life, her admiration of music sparked her interested in creating her own style music, videos, fashion. She was a strong advocate supporting the LGBTQ Community with many PRIDE events. She was also known to make people smile with her presences. She was funny, always singing or rapping her lyrics she wrote in her personal notebook. She will be dearly and extremely missed and never forgotten. She will live in our hearts for eternity.

Soraya was preceded in death by her beloved sister Patricia Benjamin, her uncles Peter Benjamin, Jaques Legagneur and Gracia Mayard, her brother-in-law Alain Georges and Torrance Wright, her cousin Hildargard Pinchinat and both grandparents of the Mayard and Benjamin family. Soraya is survived by her sisters Joan Benjamin-Badji, Gretchen Benjamin-Palmore and Ami Tyler-Sigafoose. Her brother-in-law Alioune “Badou” Badji and Trent Palmore. Her nieces and nephews Marysa Georges, Gabrielle Georges, Isaiah Wright, Alain Georges, Jaylan Woods, Michael Gwinn and Camron Gwinn. The entire Mayard/Benjamin family, Peggy Adkins, and the entire LGBTQ community family and friends.