Elijah Berlin Witt

Elijah Berlin Witt passed away on May 15, 2024, in Crozet, Virginia at the young age of 20. Born in Austin, Texas on April 1, 2004, Elijah was the beloved son of Howard Witt and Andrea Mayfield and the cherished brother of Indigo Selah-Jael Witt, his 23-year-old sister, and Noah Mandela Witt, his loving twin brother.

Elijah recently completed his second year at the University of Virginia. His academic pursuits included engineering, psychology, and astronomy. As a resident advisor, Elijah took pride in compassionately supporting students navigating the challenges and triumphs of their first year of college. His passion for helping people extended to the classroom as an engineering teaching assistant and as a mathematics instructor at the M-Cubed Summer Math Academy facilitated by the 100 Black Men of Central Virginia. Elijah loved astronomy; he could often be found peering at the night sky with one of his high-powered telescopes. Elijah’s academic adventures began at a young age, from coding Lego Mindstorms robots in elementary school to twice being elected president of the Western Albemarle High School robotics team. This dedication led him to great heights as a Rodman Engineering Scholar and a Jefferson Scholar at UVA.

Known for his gentle nature, generosity, and infectious laugh, Elijah left a lasting impact on everyone he met. He was forgiving and kind, patient and loving. Deeply involved in his school community, Elijah recently had the honor of being selected as a UVA summer orientation leader.

Elijah’s life was a vibrant tapestry of intelligence, curiosity, and kindness. He was known for his eagerness to both teach and learn. Elijah was a dedicated and loving son, brother, grandson, cousin, and friend. Along with his family, Elijah’s friends and girlfriend Lauren Hernon brought him great joy. His siblings were the lights of his life.

Elijah is survived by his mother Andrea and father Howard, brother Noah and sister Indigo, maternal grandparents Andre Mayfield and Rhonda Mayfield, paternal grandparents Frank and Gery Witt, uncle Barry Witt, aunt Nichole Mayfield, her children Isaiah and Isabel Tsuruta, and many loving cousins, great aunts and uncles, and friends.

Please direct any donations to 100 Black Men of Central Virginia, a local volunteer nonprofit organization that mentors African American middle- and high school students. Elijah was a participant, then a teacher and volunteer for several years, and 100 Black Men has established a college scholarship in Elijah’s name. Donation page: https://www.100bmocv.org/projects-1

The Celebration of Life will be livestreamed and can be accessed by the link below:

bit.ly/elijahwitt