August 25 2010 January 25 2020
Zaryia Jasnea Etheridge, age 9, passed away in her home on Saturday, January 25, 2020. Zaryia was born on August 25, 2010, in Norfolk, VA to parents, Christopher Etheridge and Niquesha Smith. Zaryia has now joined her father, Christopher Etheridge and her cousin in heaven. She is survived by her mother, Niquesha Smith; her siblings, Ce’Asia Davis, Antonio Davis, R’riana Knight, Zamaria Etheridge, Tre’von Smith, and Devonte Smith; her maternal grandparents, Donald and Janette Jones; her paternal grandparents, Joe and Delores Lawson; her aunt, Vonticasha Smith; her uncle, Donald Jones, Jr.; her nephew, Tavon Lassiter; her cousins, Jazelle Jones, Janiya Jones, Lashay Jones, Raekwon Jones, and Makayla Smith; her extended family, Lolita Padgett and Lakeisha Rogers and Shantel Washington; her God family, Jaron, Samarya and Jade Fentress; and her Pembroke and CHKD families. Zaryia was born with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and a heart defect. The doctor recognized symptomatic heart failure and feeding intolerance in Zaryia when she was only one month old. As a result, by the age of six months old, she had already survived two open-heart surgeries. Throughout the nine years of her life, Zaryia underwent a variety of surgeries, to include, three ear surgeries, three different types of surgery-required feeding tubes (due to her inability to gain and maintain proper weight), an ileostomy, and fistula. In her later days, she began to lose weight and to have additional severe medical problems. At times, her stomach would distend in an effort to fight to digest, where it was later discovered that part of her intestines was not working properly. Zaryia’s beautiful soul always led with a smile that would light up the room. Anyone familiar with her was well aware of her love for dance and music. Her family, friends, and teachers could attest to a few of her favorite songs: Rude by Magic, The Battle Is Not Yours by Yolanda Adams, and Baby Shark. Zaryia enjoyed riding the school bus and attending school. She was known for not wanting to get on the school bus to go home. Zaryia was loved by many, and she developed a very close bond with her nurses, teachers, and the staff at CHKD. She was a very bright and intelligent girl, who was learning sign language and how to communicate with others. Her spirit uplifted everyone around her, and she never showed all the pain she was going through. Zaryia was a fighter throughout her short life span. She would smile, no matter what. Zaryia will be sorely missed by many, but we are all so grateful to have known that bright, shining star of a little girl ~ Zaryia Etheridge.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Zaryia Jasnea Etheridge August 25 2010 January 25 2020.
Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory
Death notice for the town of: Williamsburg, state: Virginia