It is with a heavy heart that we are seeking support for Gabriel Graham, the beloved 8-year-old son of Mark Graham, who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.

Those that knew Mark and his life story knew he was a man who overcame great hardship in life to create a life of love and joy. Mark moved through life with an upbeat attitude, a smile, funny jokes, and the hard truth always spoken from his lips. Mark had a way of pulling your coat that left you a better person. Mark loved his community and followed his calling to serve those who were returning home from years of incarceration. Even when life continued to be challenging, Mark would say that things would get better.

Mark served his community, was a great friend, but his greatest accomplishment and joy was his family. Mark leaves behind his wife Elinie, his bonus daughters, and his young son Gabriel.

Gabriel was the surprise child Mark never thought he would have. Born later in Mark’s life, Gabriel was Mark’s solar system. If you knew Mark, you knew just how much his son meant to him and how important it was to raise his son to be a good person, for him to know the truth about life, and to have as happy a childhood as possible. He was raising his son to be a great citizen on this planet.

That Gabriel will have to grow up without his father's continue guidance is heartbreaking. Gabriel has the unconditional love and care of his amazingly warm and kind mother and super doting and loving sisters, but to have had the loss of a dad who loved him so deeply is sadly something Gabriel will have to face going forward in his young life.

It is our hope and trust in our community that we can continue to support Gabriel so that he can continue his education, including one day going to college. We want him to continue his primary education in a school that best supports him and to have life experiences that will later on support his life’s work. Mark, who had his Masters Degree, was fully committed to making sure Gabriel had the best, well rounded, grounded in truth education. It is now up to us, those who also loved Mark, to help make that happen.

We need everyone who knew Mark, from community members, to family, friends and co-workers to please step up and make sure Mark's commitment to his son's future is secure.

All funds will be put in a trust for Gabriel.

Thank you for supporting and loving Gabriel. This is the best way we can honor our beloved Mark.

With Deep Gratitude,

Anjahni Davi and William Eric Waters (aka Ezze), friends/heart siblings/Board Members of the Redemption Center and co-sharers of Mark's October 1st birthday.