Elijah Parada, 18, of Portsmouth, VA, passed away on September 4, 2023, in Portsmouth. He was born on September 25, 2004, in Portsmouth, VA. Elijah was a considerate, disciplined, and determined young man who enjoyed watching anime, taking long nature walks, playing video games on his iPhone, and going to church. He recently graduated from I.C. Norcom High School and was eagerly anticipating starting his first job. Elijah’s strong work ethic and attention to detail were evident in his well-organized nature. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and never complained. Elijah was grateful for all the opportunities and blessings he received. Above all, he loved his family, loved going to church, singing during worship services, and had a deep love for the Lord. Elijah is survived by his mother, Emma Thorne; his father, Juan Parada; his stepmother, Tracey; his grandmothers, Vivian Thorne and Reina Parada; his brothers, Messiah, Zachariah, De’Angelo and Jeremiah and his sisters, Zaeminio, Neena, Alexis, Kayla, and Ava. He is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. Elijah enjoyed traveling, eating out, and going to the movies in his free time. His hobbies brought him joy and allowed him to explore new experiences. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Metropolitan Funeral Home in Portsmouth, VA. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Metropolitan for their assistance during this difficult time. A viewing and graveside service will be held in Elijah’s honor. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects and remember the wonderful person that Elijah was.