Elijah “Eli” Wayne Zinnerman, 5, of Rockingham, passed away suddenly at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Richmond on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025.
Eli was born on June 24, 2020 to Dorinda Quick Zinnerman and Adrian Tyrone Zinnerman.
Eli was known to everyone as a firecracker. At any time you could find him looking for somewhere to climb or a snack to eat. He loved to MOVE…“You play some music” he’d ask and he was ready to show off his best dance moves.
Eli had a kind and compassionate spirit; he loved all animals and everyone was a friend; to know him was to love him. He would walk into a room and you knew he was there, truly the life of the party. Fondly known as wild man, he knew how to put a smile on everyone's face.
Eli loved his daddy, so much that he wanted to do everything daddy done including matching shoes, clothes and wearing his daddy’s cologne. No doubt he was his daddy’s twin. It can be said that Eli’s favorite word was “Mommy;” wherever she was, he had to be too. Cooking in the kitchen or watching a movie next to mommy was his favorite place to be.
Two years ago, Eli was promoted to big brother, and it was a job he took seriously. He kept watch over his “babies” at all times. Eli sometimes forgot that he was the little brother and would often give his older brother and sister a hard time, but they were his favorite playmates and best friends.
Eli may have lived a short life, but he made a BIG impact on everyone who knew him; to say life will not be the same is an understatement. It is said that some people shine too brightly to ever be forgotten, and that is our Eli, our angel and our shining star.
He was greeted in Heaven by his aunts, Pee Wee and Chrystal Quick; and his uncle, Christopher Warr.
Left to cherish his memories are his parents, Dorinda and Adrian Zinnerman; brothers, Jameer Zinnerman and Dominic Huntley; sisters, Miquela Zinnerman, Asi’hana Zinnerman, Makenna Huntley, Leilani Zinnerman and Allie Zinnerman; paternal grandparents, Capricia Isaac and Avery Washington of Hoffman; maternal grandparents, Jennifer Britt and Michael Quick of Marston; great-grandparents, Marie and Kenneth Britt of Lumberton; God mamas, Leslie Altman, Kristen Heaton and Brianna Sudler, all of Rockingham; and many other family members.
Visitation will be held on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, from 1-2 p.m., at Harrington Funeral Home.
The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation at 2 pm, with the Rev. Jason Britt officiating.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Zinnerman family. Online condolences may be made at harringtonfuneralhome.com.
