Mr. Davont'e Burris

Mr..Davonte Kyle Burris was born on November 11, 2004 in Albany, New York to Monique Burris and Ryan Hermitt.  He departed this life on September 3, 2023 in Hampton, Virginia.  It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child, and Davonte was fortunate to have that village. From age four, he was blessed to be nurtured and raised by his Godmother and guardian, Ebony Burris (Auntie Ebony).  After relocating to Virginia in his teenage years, he was given love and nurturing from his Aunt Alisha Hazell.

Davonte attended Albany Community Charter School (ACCS), KIPP Tech Valley Middle School and Albany High School.  At the young age of 9, Davonte gave his life to Christ and was baptized and became a member of the Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, Albany under the pastorage of Rev. William E. Morgan.  He loved to go the Sunday School and would often get up early just to ride to Sunday School on the church van.  Davonte loved music and loved to draw.  He would often sit for hours in front of the TV or in his room teaching himself how to draw different figures.

His outgoing personality afforded him many friends at school and church.   He was a member of the ACCS Honor Guard and participated in the drum class with Capital District Keys for Kids.  He was a member of Do the Work, a performing arts program in the Capital District, and was also a member of the Pup Team of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.  He touched the lives of everyone he encountered.

Davonte is survived by his loving mother, Monique Burris; father, Ryan Hermitt (Latisha); five brothers: Ryan Jr., Isaiah, Nayr, and Aseem Hermitt and Ivan Easton (Albany, NY);  his beloved godmother and guardian, Ebony Burris (Albany, NY)); his “Auntie Michelle” (Michelle Burris); his “favorite” Aunt and guardian, Alisha Hazell (Hampton, VA); second godmother, Queasia Coffin (Albany, NY);  grandmother, Terri Burris (Kingston, NY); grandfather, Charles DeGroat (Lisa) of Kingston, NY;  Maggie L. Burris, great-grandmother (Kingston, NY); Aunt Tymika Hazell, (VA); Aunt Araia De Groat (Kingston, NY);  two great-uncles, John and Eugene Burris (Kingston, NY); mentor and family friend, Gary Murray (Albany, NY); and a host of cousins, church family, and friends.

Rest in peace, Davonte.  We love you and miss you. We will see you again in the morning.

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