Branduun Ellis

In Loving Memory of Brandunn Diashonn Ellis July 11, 1991 – July 29, 2026 There are some lives that are measured in years, and then there are lives that are measured by the memories they leave behind. Brandunn Diashonn Ellis was one of those lives. Brandunn was born on July 11, 1991, in New Haven, Connecticut, to David Leon Ellis Sr. and Kelli Ingrid McBride. He was born and raised in New Haven, where he attended and graduated from New Haven Public Schools. From the very beginning, Brandunn had a personality that could not be easily contained. He was full of life, laughter, curiosity, determination, and a love for the people he called family. As a young boy, Brandunn loved sports. At around ten years old, he played baseball and participated in Pop Warner. But it did not take long for everyone to discover that there was another passion living inside of him: music. Some of Brandunn's most treasured childhood memories came from performing with his Nana's Gospel Quartet group, the Golden Voices. He loved getting dressed up in his Sample Shop suits and Stacey Adams shoes, guitar in hand, ready to perform. And Brandunn was not interested in singing only the songs that children his age knew. He would sing songs that were well before his time, including “The Storms of Life.” He had a way of making those moments his own. Eventually, Brandunn outgrew the suits and the performances, but he never outgrew his love for music or the joy of entertaining the people around him. In time, his attention returned to sports, and this time, his heart was drawn toward football. But there was so much more to Brandunn than the things he loved to do. Brandunn loved people. Most of all, he loved his family. He had a special way with children and could connect with them in a way that was genuine and natural. One of the greatest joys of his life was his daughter/niece, lovingly known as his “Aggy Ragity,” Kaylee Michelle McBride Judkins. Brandunn cherished that little girl. He would stay up with her at all hours of the night, talking with her, laughing with her, and simply enjoying being present in her life. Their bond was special, and the memories they created together will be treasured forever. Brandunn was also deeply devoted to his siblings. He was protective of them and took the responsibility of being his brother's keeper. He made time for his brothers and sisters and understood that love was not simply something you said—it was something you demonstrated. His relationship with Ashante Adams, his special sister through his brother Michael, was one that needed very few words. Ashante affectionately called him “Zupe,” and theirs was the kind of relationship where, as they say, what's understood does not need to be explained. Brandunn loved Michael, Devin, David, and Summer, and each of them knew it. He invested his time in them. He made moments matter. He made memories count. He was present in their lives in ways that they will carry with them for the rest of their days. Brandunn always dreamed big, even as a child, Brandunn had a fascination with motorcycles. He would talk about them and say, “I'm gonna get a roooom roooom.” It was one of those childhood dreams that stayed with him. And at the age of 30, that dream finally became reality. Brandunn took classes, earned his motorcycle license, and shortly afterward purchased his bike. What began as a childhood dream became one of the things that brought him tremendous joy as an adult. The group of family and friends with whom he spent his time riding eventually became his official motorcycle club, the Silver Back Guerrillaz. He enjoyed spending his leisure time riding with them, traveling up and down the interstate, creating memories and enjoying the freedom that came with being on his bike. And then there was love. One of the most important decisions Brandunn made was choosing Nimaris “Nini” Ana Ellis to be his wife. They met in January 2024 and, after a year of dating, became one on January 23, 2025. Their marriage became another chapter in Brandunn's story, one filled with love, laughter, companionship, and memories that will forever belong to them. Brandunn had an infectious smile and a unique ability to create laughter wherever he went. He paid attention to the little things, the details that mattered, the things that helped keep relationships together. His love for Nini and the life they shared will remain a treasured part of his legacy. Brandunn's life was not defined by perfection. It was defined by connection. He knew how to love his people. He knew how to make them laugh. He knew how to show up. He knew how to create memories. And for those who had the privilege of knowing him, there was something about Brandunn that made it difficult not to smile when you thought about him. His smile will be remembered. His laughter will be remembered. His stories will be remembered. His protective spirit will be remembered. His love for family will be remembered. His “roooom roooom” dreams will be remembered. The little boy in the Sample Shop suit and Stacey Adams shoes, standing with his guitar and singing “The Storms of Life,” will be remembered. The young man who loved football will be remembered. The man who finally got his motorcycle will be remembered. The son who loved his mother unconditionally will be remembered. The son who loved his father immensely will be remembered. The husband who found love in Nini will be remembered. The brother who made sure his siblings knew they were loved will be remembered. The uncle, brother, friend, godfather, grandson, nephew, and cousin who gave pieces of himself to so many people will be remembered. And most of all, Brandunn will be remembered for the love he gave and the memories he left behind. Those Who Cherish His Memory Brandunn leaves to cherish his precious memory his loving mother, Kelli I. McBride of New Haven, CT, and his father, David L. Ellis Sr. of New Haven, CT; his beloved wife, Nimaris Ellis of New Haven, CT; his daughter/niece, Kaylee M. McBride Judkins; his Nana, Barbara McBride Joyner of New Haven, CT; his brother, David L. Ellis Jr.; his sister, Summer L. Ellis; his brother, Devin T. Gardner; and his sister, Ashante Adams. He also leaves his beloved godchildren, Aiyanna Coppage, McKenna Atkinson, Taryn Atkinson, and Amir K. Turner Scott. He leaves his special siblings, Tavaris L. Wylie (Shainika), Marquis D. Atkinson, Elijah Joyner, Kennedy Joyner, Kyema C. Smith, Kayla R. Atkinson, Kyala L. Smith, and Terrence and Jessica Daniels. He leaves a host of loving aunts, including Barbara Ann Witherspoon, Barbara Joyner Howard (Marty), Shelly Joyner, Bridgette Maybank Smith (GA), Erin Joyner, his sister/aunt, and Brittany N. Atkinson. He leaves his uncles, Timothy Maybanks (Dyliesha) and Robert McKenney (Patricia); his best friends, Shanay Dolphin, Kenneth Young, Anthony Nieves, and Trevon Perkins; his godparents, Apostle J. Kelly Edge (Donna) and Elaine Jones (AZ); his special great-aunts, Monica Ellis and Regina McDowell; and his great-great-aunt, Ellwood J. Coleman. He will also be lovingly remembered by his wife's children, A'nyhla Hart and Steven Blaine Jr., as well as a host of other relatives, friends, brothers, sisters, and loved ones whose lives were touched by his presence. Those Who Welcomed Him Home Brandunn was preceded in death by those who loved him before him, including his great-great-grandmother, Marion Y. Coleman; his great-grandmothers, Rosemarie Ellis and Gertrude McBride; his grandmother, Rita Thorpe; his great-grandfather, Willie B. McBride; his grandfather, Robert L. Davis; and his younger brother, Michael Jordan McBride Judkins. Though his absence leaves a place that cannot be filled, those who loved Brandunn can take comfort in knowing that love does not end when life does. The memories remain. The laughter remains. The lessons remain. The stories remain. And the love remains. Brandunn may no longer be here to answer the phone, tell a story, make someone laugh, protect his family, take a ride, or stay up all night talking with Kaylee—but the imprint he left on the hearts of those who knew him cannot be erased. His journey on earth has ended, but his story continues in every life he touched. So when we remember Brandunn, let us not remember only the day we lost him. Let us remember the little boy with the guitar. The young boy chasing a baseball. The football lover. The man who finally got his “roooom roooom.” The son The brother. The husband. The friend. The protector. The jokester. The man with the infectious smile. The man who loved deeply and lived his life surrounded by people who mattered to him. Remember Brandunn laughing. Remember Brandunn loving. Remember Brandunn living. And whenever the pain of his absence becomes heavy, may the memories of his life remind us that we were blessed to have him and that a life so deeply loved can never truly be forgotten. Rest peacefully, Brandunn Diashonn Ellis. You were loved. You are missed. You will forever be remembered.

Branduun Ellis

July 11, 1991 - July 29, 2026