Kamoni Messiah Kilgore-Ellison was just starting to blossom when his life came to a tragic, sudden, and unexpected end June 21st, 2015 on Father’s day morning when his mother Larishia Kilgore awoke and found Kamoni was nonresponsive and blue. Kamoni is believed to have died of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). He passed away peacefully in bed next to his mother Larishia P-Y. Kilgore and big brother Kamaryea L. Kilgore-Mason in their home in Richmond, CA. Kamoni was only 9weeks old at the time. In his short time here, Kamoni has touched many as well as left some of the deepest footprints in our hearts. Kamoni has left his mommy and closest family with more than enough memories to last forever.

Born at Alta Bates SMC in Berkeley, CA, Kamoni was born April 13th 2015 at 9:54AM. Weighing a tiny 6lbs 5oz, He came out arms swinging, eyes wide open,and with a huge appetite. Kamoni had these biggest brightest dark brown eyes.They almost looked black with the deepest twinkle in them. My favorite and most memorable feature of Kamoni was his lips. His top lip stuck out & his bottom lip always seemed to be tucked like he was sucking on it. His gums were always exposed. When Kamoni would smile, it made you feel like everything was “OK”. He was very alert and active with his eyes and hands. Sometimes, I thought he was using sign language! He would hold his hands together when he was fine. If he had a tummy ache or gas, he would hold his tummy with his hands. If he was hungry, he would suck on his hands or have them at his mouth like he was holding food in his hand.

He was an advanced little angel. He was an easy baby and when he was satisfied, fed, and burped he would like to be propped up like a big boy and look out into the bliss or stare out of his mommys room window. From that window you can see the entire back yard which was huge and filled with big trees, grass, and full of sunlight and all the amazing beauties of nature. Kamoni spent most of his time staring at his mommy, even when she wasn’t staring back! He'd just sit there and smile at the sight of his mommy, even if all he could see was the side of her face. If he could hear her voice but couldn’t see her .. Trust, he would make sure she knew he wanted her and he would make sure she came in his plain sight. He was a ‘Momma’s Boy’ just like his big brother, Kamaryea.

Kamaryea has always been his mothers only child & always expressed to his mother that he wanted a baby brother or sister so when she revealed to him that she was expecting Kamoni, he was overwhelmed with joy.  KAmaryea was so thrilled with becoming a big brother. All he wanted to do was help his mother with everything. Kamaryea loved his brother since he first laid eyes on him & they both loved each other deeply and to my surprise, Kamaryea was always more than willing to step up to help mommy with Kamoni. If he didn’t know how to do the task at hand, he wanted to learn. 

Life as I once knew it was finally complete. It was just my two boys and myself. That was all I needed to complete me! 

I  never thought my life would change for the worst in what seemed to be in a blink of an eye... 

On June 21st 2015, I was awakened by the cries of my son Kamaryea, he told me that he had a bad dream. I consoled my child and wiped away his tears and reassured him that everything was going to be okay. (Kamaryea had fell asleep on the couch with his cousin. Instead of moving him into bed, I just tucked them in with a blanket.) Kamaryea asked if he could sleep in bed with me & his brother, I agreed and he climbed into bed and went to sleep. I then realized that Kamoni would be waking for a feeding soon, so I prepared his bottle and just as I assumed, Kamoni woke up & started to fuss. I fed Kamoni & he fell asleep feeding without burping so I layed my baby on his tummy, his head turned facing my direction. No fluffy blankets, no pillows. I then layed myself to sleep. It was probably 6AM. 

I woke up between 9AM-10AM to find my son Kamoni with blue lips. I screamed his name & my aunt charged into my room. My son Kamaryea woke from my screams & asked ,"Mommy, whats wrong?" I didnt answer him but he took one look at his brother and screamed, then ran out the room in fear crying. I cried and begged GOD to wake my baby up. I begged Kamoni to wake up, Gently shaking him. I then layed him down, looking for some explanation to why he wasn't breathing. I looked for blood on the bed, saw none, his nose was draining fluids and I asked my aunt & my boyfriend to perform CPR. My uncle called 911 & they arrived in seconds. After what seemed like 10 minutes.. The AMR crew informed me that they did all they could do. All they could say was, I am sorry Mom. I couldn't kiss my son goodbye. I couldn't go into my room. I don't even remember how I got on my couch in the livingroom. My world as I knew it became a horrible nightmare.  

Kamoni is survived by his Maternal Family: His Mother Larishia Kilgore, Big Brother Kamaryea Kilgore-Mason, Grandfather Larry Kilgore, Grandmother Renee Kilgore, Maternal Grandmother Diane Taylor (Deceased),

Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, and a host of other relatives, family and friends.