By Message Staff
NEW ORLEANS – Elijah Kelly, the baby who thousands have prayed for as he journeyed through difficulties with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, has died.
According to a post on the Elijah’s Miracles Facebook page, he died at 4:17 pm Tuesday at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.
Kelly, who was the grandson of Gulf Coast Baptist Association Director of Missions Steven Kelly, was born June 6 and weighed four pounds, 13 ounces. Two days later, the doctors diagnosed him with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare condition that left the newborn with only three of four chambers of his heart working properly.
In the ensuing months, Kelly endured three open heart surgeries, a brain bleed, kidney dialysis and countless injections.
Up until the end, family and friends from across the world offered prayers of support.
Tammillee Kelly, wife of Steven Kelly, expressed appreciation for all who supported the family.
“He was surrounded by his family and closest friends,” she wrote on the Elijah’s Miracles Facebook page Tuesday night. “He was cared for, prayed over, loved on, and sang to as he left our presence and into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Elijah’s Miracles Facebook photo
Visitation will take place Thursday, August 23 from 6-9 p.m. and Friday, August 24 from 8-11 a.m. at Bayou Vista Baptist Church on 411 Field Rd., Morgan City. His funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. also at Bayou Vista Baptist Church. Burial will be at the Franklin cemetery in Franklin.
In iieu of flowers, monetary donations are requested to help Children’s Hospital. Checks may be written to Steven Kelly and sent to 1318 Belleview St., Morgan City, LA 70380. All funds will be combined and one check given in Elijah’s memory to the Children’s Hospital Cardiac Unit.
