To know him was to love him! Eldridge never met a stranger and once a friend he was always your friend (although you would know when he was mad with you about something!). I had the pleasure of knowing Eldridge for almost 40 years. He was "my brother from another Mother" but you couldn't tell. He was born to Ms. Shelby Burton Flakes and Eddie Albert Flakes during the cold month of January 1974. "Boo" became his 2nd Mother later on. :-) Inspite of the challenges he faced during his lifetime, I can never remember anything getting him down. He had his moments but he always perked up with an "I'll be alright, little sister." Or he would do something for you. That was our El, always doing for others regardless of what was going on with him. We will never forget Eldridge, it was a blessing to know and love him. We thank God for the time we had with him although we wish it could have been longer. Other than his parents, his sisters were blessed to call him brother, and his nieces and nephews cherish the time spent with their Uncle El. We can't name all of his friends (there were so many), still fondly remember him and the stuff he would say and do! Cousins and neighbors miss him stopping by to chat or laugh. Uncles, aunts,and his buddies at the dialysis center miss his smile. Our grandmother didn't want to bury a grandchild but I'm sure she holds his memory in her heart. We love Eldridge and he will be with us forever in spirit.


On behalf of our family~his sister Michele