On the 14th day of September in the year of 2024 Eveliyjah Lenora Nohemi Cruz unexpectedly passed away at Northeast Regional Medical Center, in Kirksville, MO.

She was preceded in death by her Great-Great Grandmother Evelyn Pettit (Athon) of Kirksville, MO.

Eveliyjah is survived by her Mother and Father Carlos Cruz and Tionja Johnson of Kirksville, MO, as well as one big sister, Evelanji Cruz. Grandparents; Danny and Melissa Bobo of Kirksville MO. Grandparents; Omar and Noris Bahena of Milan, MO. One aunt Taleija Bobo, of Kirksville MO and Two uncles Eduardo and Justin Collindres of Milan, MO. Great Grandparents; Jim and Virginia (Athon) Reed of Kirksville, MO. Great Grandparents David and Joyce Easley of Ocala, FL. Great Grandmother; Maria Mercedes Cruz, Of Honduras. Few got to experience her in real time, but there were so many other special aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and other family members who survive her near and far- some by blood and some by bond.

Eveliyjah made her way into this beautifully chaotic world on the 3rd day of September in the year of 2024. Liyjah was safely birthed and delivered at home all naturally by her father, whom cared and comforted her with the instruction and guidance from our local Kirksville Ambulance District until they arrived. Mom and Baby were transported to the Northeast Regional Medical Care Center for proper and adequate care. Eveliyjah was 5lbs even and 17 1/4in long, with a head full of gorgeous dark, dark hair. Eveliyjah lit her mommy and daddy’s whole world up from the very beginning. In her such short sweet time here on earth Liyjah enjoyed many things such as the outside’s fresh air and sunlight, being held securely and close, feeling her mommy and daddy's heartbeats, hearing mommy and daddy sing or hum their go-to lullaby “You Are My Sunshine” (Just as much, if not more than her big sister Lanji). Eveliyjah lived a lifetime of love in just eleven days on earth. Every moment of it beautiful. Every second of it pure. Someone so beautiful like her- A soul too good for this place here we call earth...

Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 22, 2024 at the First Assembly of God Church, 2401 S. High, Kirksville, Missouri with Virginia Reed presiding. Family will receive friends from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. service time. Interment will follow the service at Ringo Point Cemetery in Novinger, Missouri.

Memorial donations in Memory of Liyjah may be made out to her mother Tionja Johnson and left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.