Elijah Brown-Garcia

Elijah Jordan Brown-Garcia was born on December 27, 2010 to Raven Brown. Elijah was blessed to have two fathers, Devon Stradford and Rodney Garcia, who shared the responsibility of nurturing and supporting him from the day he was born.

Elijah was his mother’s backbone. He gladly took on many tasks to assist her in every way he could. Elijah had great pride in being a big brother to his four siblings - Mekhi, Sanai, Skai, and Faith.

Elijah attended Fountain Baptist Church in Summit, New Jersey under the leadership of Pastor Sanders. He was a student at KIPP Rise Academy in Newark, New Jersey where he was lovingly called “EJ” by his fellow sixth-grade classmates. His favorite subjects were English and Science, yet, everyone knew his favorite things to do were: play football, dance, and sing. Elijah deeply loved singing and dancing, especially with his mother and siblings as a “family group.” His favorite artists were Michael Jackson and Chris Brown.

Elijah willingly and joyfully helped anyone he could. Whenever presented with a challenge, he approached it with positivity and a smile. Elijah will always be known for his infectious smile, huge heart, and dancing spirit. All who knew Elijah, knew him to never be without his best friend and brother, Mekhi. The two of them shared a bond that was unexplainable yet beautifully visible to all who knew them.

Elijah Jordan Brown-Garcia passed away on February 10, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey doing what he loved - playing football. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his mother, Raven Brown, father, Devon Stradford, step-father, Rodney Garcia, five siblings: Davion Anthony Stradford, Mekhi Amir Stradford, Sanai Arielle Stradford, Skai Alexandria Stradford, and Faith Aaliyah-Joy Stradford, grandmothers: Donna Brown and Janet Stradford, grandfathers: Jeffrey Latimore, Kevin Boyd, and Curtis Scott (Mr. Curtis), Godmother, Mindy Montgomery, Godfather, Gerald Cook, Godbrothers: John Mathews and Zachary Bragg, aunts: Sable Shelton, Shavon Latimore, Tiffany Stradford and Ashley Brown, uncles: Aaron Brown, Najmir Garcia, and Frank Rance, cousin: Ayanna Wilcox, close family friend: Altaneace Smith (Shorty), and a host of aunts, uncles, relatives, friends, and classmates.