Ambitious, smart, loving, loyal, funny
Andron was one of four children and was very close to his three sisters, Ariana, Alyssa, and Aaliyah. Although he was the little brother to two of his sisters, he acted like he was the big brother of all of them, always protecting them and telling them what to do. The girls protected him too, cautioning him from his daredevil tendencies, though he rarely listened and would get himself into trouble, anyway. Andron and his family eventually took in his best friend, Ian, and he became like a brother. Even after Andron’s passing, Ian still lives with them as a bonus family member. Andron was so special to his family. A fond memory his mother, Brandi, recalls is his love for her cherry cheesecake. Every Thanksgiving, he begged her to make it for him, and she lovingly obliged.
Among Andron’s passions were swimming and basketball. He loved being in the water so much he taught himself to swim, and he was a talented basketball player who picked up a game no matter where he was. Playing professional basketball was his dream, and if that didn’t happen, he planned to own an exotic car lot. He could have, too as Andron was extraordinarily smart, ambitious, and motivated to work. Whatever he put his mind to would be done, whether that was graduating high school or getting his first job at sixteen.
He overcame a lot to achieve success. When Andron was one-year-old, a dog attacked him, fracturing his skull and puncturing his brain. As a result, he struggled with bipolar disorder, which often made him feel like an outsider. Despite what happened to him, he grew up loving dogs and always wanted to rescue them. One day, he asked his mother if he could have one. She refused, but found a surprise when she checked his room later that night. There, three-month-old Precious sat patiently in her kennel. His mother was furious initially, but when Andron experienced health complications from drug use, Precious became a lifeline. She calmed Andron whenever he was angry, and Brandi couldn’t help but love her. After Precious came Yappa. They were only meant to dog sit him, but when Andron noticed how skinny and neglected he was, he refused to return the three-month-old pup. Andron showed his dogs so much love and care, and since his passing, the two bring the family protection, comfort, and happiness.
Andron’s compassion didn’t stop at adorable puppies. He put everyone before himself. Even when he wasn’t alright, he went out of his way to ensure everyone else was. When his friend struggled with addiction, it was Andron who coaxed him into going home and encouraged him to get help. When he got out of treatment, Andron was the first person he wanted to see.
Andron always wanted to save everyone but never believed he needed saving. He loved big in times of hardship, and was a friend to humans and animals alike.
Andron’s mother, Brandi Hickman, provided the information for this narrative. October 13, 2004-January 26, 2022–Age 17
Portrait Artist: Elizabeth Jones
Narrative Writer: Willow Kline
