Fallen 14-Year-Old Honored By Friends, Family And School

GREENDALE, MO. (KTVI) – 14-year-old Brandon Whitfield was playing basketball when his heart suddenly stopped.  Whitfield was a well respected freshman at Normandy High School.  He died on December 23rd during a pickup basketball game.

“I think about him every day,” said Rosie Bellamy, Brandon’s mother.  “I can’t rest.”

Bellamy will be honored by students, teachers and the mayor of Greendale during a special ceremony at Normandy High School.

His former educators call Brandon the perfect gentleman.  He won several awards and was an honor student.

“What I remember most about him was working hard to do the right thing,” said Normandy administrator Barbara Sharp.

“We need to make sure our students understand this was someone you should emulate,” said Alicia Ivory House, teacher.

“Every single teacher misses this kid badly,” said Tyler Jones, teacher.

The proclamation that will be issued by Greendale mayor Monica Huddleston will read in part, “We Love and Honor Brandon J. Whitfield Day.”

Whitfield’s mother still struggles over the loss of her son and has been receiving grief counseling.

She does believe there is this lesson to learn from her son’s death, “Kids need to understand life is so precious.”