Area stunned by death of child

The town of Century is mourning the tragic accidental death of 4-year-old Ka'Merius J. Dortch, who died Thursday from injuries sustained when he was hit by a vehicle in the parking lot at Century Community Center on Jefferson Avenue.

Alberta Knight, 66, of Century, began to travel forward in her 2014 Ford SUV in the parking lot of the community center when she struck Dortch, according to Florida Highway Patrol report.

The child was flown to Sacred Heart Hospital by Shanda Life Flight, where he was pronounced dead.

No charges have been filed, but Florida Highway Patrol officials continue to investigate.

"It's tragic what happened," said Century Mayor Henry Hawkins. "The town needs to come together and support both families because it was an accident."

"We didn't realize it, but his death has touched so many people from everywhere," said Century native Karen Evans, Ka'Merius' maternal great aunt, who now lives in Cinncinati, Ohio. "He was such a joy.

He was born Feb. 23, 2015, and his full name was Ka'Merius Ja'Kel Dortch, but we called him "Kel" for short. Kel was very energetic. He attended Century Head Start and loved riding his bike and playing with his Head Start and neighborhood friends."

Evans said her great-nephew loved firetrucks and firemen, hoping to become one when he grew up, to make his mother proud of him.

"He didn't meet a stranger," said Evans. "He could be in a store and he would say 'hi' to everyone or 'I love you', as he was very affectionate. He was super smart. In fact, he started talking at 9 months, an early age. Everyone thought he was older. Kel's always been very intelligence, he had the intelligence of someone much older."

Evans recalled one time when she was in the grocery store the 4-year-old and he witnessed an elderly woman in a scooter reach for a product on the shelf and he saw it fall to the floor.

"Kel ran over there, picked it up for her and handed it to the woman as he said 'Hi,'" said Evans. "When the woman said hello and thanked him for retrieving the item, he told her, 'I love you' before they parted."

Kel had one sister and was the youngest of four, always wrestling with one of his two older brothers. Evans said he had a great sense of humor, even for a youngster his age, and was always joking, playing jokes on his siblings and mother she said.

"His smile and laugh were infectious,"Evans said. "He was just a happy kid. He loved any cartoons on You Tube and preferred to watch cartoons on his mother's phone and make videos of himself."

Kel's favorite activities included watching Transformers, swimming and riding his bike, she said.

"We loved Kel tremendously," said Evans. "It has been and is going to be a very deep void in our lives. He was such a fun-loving kid who had the most warm and jovial personality."

There has been an outpouring of condolences, phones calls and prayers. His death has brought the communities of Flomaton, Century and Pensacola together. A vigil in honor of Ka'Merius was held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, at the Century Community Center.

"Although we are devastated at the loss of Kel, what gives us comfort is our faith in God, knowing that Kel is one of God's most precious angels," said Evans.

Dr. Vincent Dortch, who is a pastor in Atlanta, will officiate the funeral and said that the children in the family refer to him as their 'uncle' because he always gives them money. Dortch, whose wife died five years ago, said that Ka'Merius' funeral will be the second hardest funeral he will officiate.

"This is my first funeral of a small child to officiate," said Dortch. "I have to prepare myself. The best way to deliver is just to get myself in the pulpit. I will be okay then and just follow the Holy Spirit."

Dortch said writing his cousin's program has helped with closure and that his service will have personal touches many have never seen in a funeral service.

"He was a very smart kid, with a lot of energy and a great personality that I did love," said Dortch. "I always tried to give him money, and his mom recently he still had money left from the last time I was there. He held onto his money. That meant a lot to me."

Dortch said his fondest memory is when he visited Century and saw the children, his first greeting was always the same.

"The kids would see me and say, 'Hey Uncle Vince, you got some money'?" said Dortch. "Thats the part I love hearing from them."

Century Head Start teacher Ruth Adams said Ka'Merius came to Head Start in August when he was three and turned four in February.

"He was a very lively and active, loving child," said Adams. "He hugged me every day. He would always turn around when he ran towards the bus and say, 'Mrs. Adams, I love you! Have a great day!' He was willing to help and jump right in. He seemed to be on go all the time. If you neede him, he was there. He was just a wonderful little 4-year-old."

The funeral will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 27, at Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church with Pastor Dr. Vincent Dortch officiating. Burial will follow at Century Cemetery with Jackson-McMurray Funeral Services of Century directing.