Ezekiel “zeke” Abimbola Ladejo

Ezekiel “Zeke” Abimbola Ladejo entered eternal rest on May 28, 2026, at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas. He was born on July 6, 2021, in Austin, Texas, to Eric and Shauntae Ladejo, and was the beloved eldest of two children in a deeply devoted family.

Zeke was born with holoprosencephaly (HPE), a rare congenital brain malformation affecting the development of the forebrain to divide into two distinct hemispheres. Though his condition brought significant medical and developmental challenges, his life was a testimony to courage, perseverance, and joy. In his four precious years, Zeke experienced far more than many would have imagined—traveling to Seattle and Las Vegas, attending family gatherings, visiting the Austin Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, the Space Needle, the Austin Light Exhibit, enjoying therapy at NAPA Therapy Center, riding the Landa Park Railroad in New Braunfels, attending Emerson Academy (daycare), and sharing in countless family adventures.

To know Zeke was to know a child who was very chill and expressed himself with unmistakable charm. He especially loved being picked up and held, and he had a very clear way of making that request known—often with an enthusiastic thumbs-up and excited arm movements that left little room for delay. And if someone tested his patience, he was fully capable of delivering a side-eye or eye roll that said, quite plainly, that he had reached his limit. His smile, even when brief, had a way of brightening an entire room. Though his diagnosis often came with words like “fragile,” Zeke carried himself with a presence much bigger than that label. Throughout his life, many also remarked that he looked older than his age. From the very beginning, nurses noticed his big hands and feet, and Dr. Alyse stated, “He has the best eyelashes in Central Texas!” (That includes 20 counties to be exact!). He also loved music, finding comfort and delight in everything from the Paw Patrol theme song to classical melodies and Afrobeats.

Zeke leaves to cherish his loving parents, Eric and Shauntae Ladejo; sister, Sahara; great-grandparent (Mimi Conley); grandparents (Michael and Liz Conley, Cynthia Ladejo); aunts (Faith Conley, Shay Williams, and Nike Robinson) and uncles (Cory Robinson); great-aunts and great-uncles; and a host of cousins and loved ones who will forever hold him close in their hearts.

Visitation will be held at Providence Funeral Home, 807 Carlos Parker Blvd NW, Taylor, TX 76574, US, on June 6, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Providence Funeral Home, 807 Carlos Parker Blvd NW, Taylor, TX 76574, US, on June 6, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

A Committal Service will follow at Taylor City Cemetery, E 4th St, Taylor, TX 76574, US, on June 6, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm.