Ezra Alia Merritt was born completely healthy on January 6, 2024, to her amazing parents Eris Merritt (Thomas) and Anthony Merritt Jr in Cleveland, Ohio. She was loved dearly and affectionately known as Ezzy. Ezra Alia was God’s Helper, a Princess Warrior and a Wiggling Worshipper. She was a precious gift from God. To knowContinue Reading
Ezra Alia Merritt was born completely healthy on January 6, 2024, to her amazing parents Eris Merritt (Thomas) and Anthony Merritt Jr in Cleveland, Ohio. She was loved dearly and affectionately known as Ezzy.
Ezra Alia was God’s Helper, a Princess Warrior and a Wiggling Worshipper. She was a precious gift from God. To know her was to love her. Ezzy was a sassy, strong and smart two-year-old. Her beautiful eyes would melt your heart along with hearing her sweet voice. Her first three words spoken were Mama, Baba and Abba. Ezzy was a true fighter; she learned self-defense kickboxing and had a strong left and right hook thanks to her uncle.
Ezzy loved spending time with family, attending church services and being in her happy place at “Grandland”. Her favorite Christian shows were Jingle Jacqui and the Good News Guys. Ezzy’s favorite songs that calmed her spirit were “Jesus Loves Me” and “You Are My Sunshine”.
Ezzy truly enjoyed being a Princess full of sweet joy and the CEO of her entire family. She loved getting dressed up and was very photogenic.
Ezzy looked forward to spa time with her Mama especially getting her hair styled. She loved a great outdoor adventure in her jogger stroller because of her track star Mama. Ezzy was always looking around admiring God’s beautiful nature.
Ezzy enjoyed her Dada taking her to therapy. And she would always wait up for him to come home from work. He would pick her up and fly Ezzy around in the air like an airplane. Ezzy loved soft music and meditation. She especially enjoyed music therapy with her personal concerts from her Dada’s alto saxophone.
She made a joyful noise with her own instruments too. She loved her maracas, mirror tambourine and kick & play piano. She also loved her favorite toy bear named “Sis” as it helped her with the idea of becoming a proud big sister.
Ezzy enjoyed story time and being on her tummy on her mat. Some of her favorite books were Pete the Cat, Corduroy, and Baby’s First Bible Stories especially the story of Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors. While Ezzy was hospitalized, the book “Home Is Calling” kept Ezzy happy about being discharged home with her parents. The journey of the Monarch Butterfly gave Hope in the darkest valley.
A special thank you to Ezzy’s dynamic care team at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, UH Pediatric Rehab Services and Pediatric Home Service for providing excellent care and accommodations. Ezzy won two courageous fights in the PICU that started when she was 3 months old. The first journey began on 4/16/24 & lasted for 129 days. The second journey began on 5/16/25 & lasted for 82 days. Witnessing God’s miracle in Ezzy to thrive and overcome two long stay hospitalizations increased our Faith. Ezzy became the VIP Angel Baby in both the PICU and Rainbow 6 because of her incredible testimony. An extra special thank you to UH Chaplain Joanie Webster for being a beautiful beacon of light in Ezzy’s entire journey.
Ezzy didn’t play about her sleep, and she enjoyed a good nap. Ezra Alia truly fulfilled her purpose in such a brief time and found eternal rest on March 26, 2026, which is Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness. Ezzy will live forever in our hearts. And we will continue advocating for her by providing education on medical complexities and demanding change to systematic failures.
A donation fundraiser with Give A Hand has been set up under the name “Forever Ezzy Strong” to continue the beautiful memory of Princess Ezra Alia. The purpose is to provide support to her amazing parents as they navigate this unimaginable loss while awaiting the birth of Ezzy’s little brother Ajani Joseph. This fundraiser will remove the barrier of financial hardship to allow grief support at Cornerstone of Hope, further advocacy efforts that are needed on behalf of Ezzy and allowing Anthony to take time off of work. They also plan to look for their future home on a farm in honor of Ezzy.
Donations can be made to https://giveahand.com/fundraiser/forever-ezzy-strong-1
Proceeded in death were great-grandparents Geneva & Dave Duncan, great-grandmothers Ruth Stately, Mildred Thomas, Dorothy “Dot” Thomas and Tonya Merritt; great-aunts Irene McGlothan and Evelyn Bryant; great-uncles Dave Duncan Jr, Kevin Duncan and Stephen Blake; and cousin Asheley Johnson.
Ezra leaves to cherish her beautiful memory with her mother Eris Merritt; father Anthony Merritt Jr; grandmother Enid Thomas; grandfather Terrence Thomas; grandparents Tiffany & James Stately; grandfather Anthony Merritt Sr; uncle Antrell Merritt; great-grandparents Joette & Charles Wade; great-aunts Brenda Phelps, Darlynn Johnson, Celeste Duncan, Barbara Fuller, Delores Saunders; great-uncle Darnell Duncan; close cousins Amber Phelps and Christina Shaw; godmother Hayley Smith; close friends Alan Meyer; Bruceon Streeter; Linda Aaron; Jerome Neal and a host of relatives, extended family and friends.
Markeysha Whitmore
left a message on April 14, 2026:
My deepest condolences from The Whitmore Family.
John Croxton
left a message on April 11, 2026:
James May the Lord wrap his arms around you and your family. brother. Amen
Steven Holland
left a message on April 11, 2026:
Prayers going up for little Ezra and family...🙏🏿 I cannot even consider what a loss of a young child feels like. I pray that the Good Lord gives the family strength and enough stamina to cope.
Melody
left a message on April 10, 2026:
So sorry for your loss May her eternal light shine on you forever
Tracy L. Roberson
left a message on April 10, 2026:
I’m sending my deepest condolences and I’m praying for the entire family. May God comfort you and give you all that you may need at this time!
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Hayley Smith
left a message on April 10, 2026:
My babygirl, my Goddaughter. To know you was to love you. You brought light to all of our lives, and I know that you will continue to. To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord. I believe that you are no longer in pain. We love you Ezzy💕
Valerie Linton
left a message on April 10, 2026:
She was a beautiful angel 😇.You have my deepest sympathy.
Melissa Breckenridge
left a message on April 10, 2026:
Hi Anthony. This Melissa. I'm so sorry to hear this. May God comfort you and the family.
Roland H. Crowder, Jr.
left a message on April 10, 2026:
Praying 🙏🏾 for your Comfort, Strength and Peace.
Respectfully,
Deacon Ro
Walter Williams Jr
left a message on April 10, 2026:
In memory of Ezra Alia Merritt, Walter Williams Jr lit a candle
Calhoun Funeral Home & Cremation Service
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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Markeysha Whitmore
left a message on April 14, 2026:
My deepest condolences from The Whitmore Family.
John Croxton
left a message on April 11, 2026:
James May the Lord wrap his arms around you and your family. brother. Amen
Steven Holland
left a message on April 11, 2026:
Prayers going up for little Ezra and family...🙏🏿 I cannot even consider what a loss of a young child feels like. I pray that the Good Lord gives the family strength and enough stamina to cope.
Melody
left a message on April 10, 2026:
So sorry for your loss May her eternal light shine on you forever
Tracy L. Roberson
left a message on April 10, 2026:
I’m sending my deepest condolences and I’m praying for the entire family. May God comfort you and give you all that you may need at this time!
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Hayley Smith
left a message on April 10, 2026:
My babygirl, my Goddaughter. To know you was to love you. You brought light to all of our lives, and I know that you will continue to. To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord. I believe that you are no longer in pain. We love you Ezzy💕
Valerie Linton
left a message on April 10, 2026:
She was a beautiful angel 😇.You have my deepest sympathy.
Melissa Breckenridge
left a message on April 10, 2026:
Hi Anthony. This Melissa. I'm so sorry to hear this. May God comfort you and the family.
Roland H. Crowder, Jr.
left a message on April 10, 2026:
Praying 🙏🏾 for your Comfort, Strength and Peace.
Respectfully,
Deacon Ro
Walter Williams Jr
left a message on April 10, 2026:
In memory of Ezra Alia Merritt, Walter Williams Jr lit a candle
Calhoun Funeral Home & Cremation Service
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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