C E L E B R A T I N GTHELifeOFKaió John Reis CypressFEBRUARY 09, 2008SEPTEMBER 18, 2026A LIFE OF FAITH, FAMILY, AND JOY

ORDER OF SERVICE Musical Prelude Final Viewing Prayer of Comfort Scripture Reading Old Testament (Jeremiah 29:11) New Testament (John 14:27) Musical Selection Acknowledgements Life Story Reading Musical Saxophonist (Eddie Baccus) Reflections Special Friend (Almira Rafia) Howard Lacrosse Team Musical Saxophonist (Eddie Baccus) Message of Hope Message of Comfort Recessional Pastor R. Durant Carlton Pryor Charles Hansborough I Trust in God Veronica Moton Richard Perez & Juan Delgado Center of My Joy Family and Friends Please limit remarks to 2 minutes Total Praise Pastor Willie Crenshaw Pastor R. Durrant Ministers and Family

KAIÓYour parents raised you up To be the perfect gentleman. A lion on the playing field, A friend who learned to understand. That smile which often delighted us and always beamed with pride. Now brightens up the heavens Where our new angel abides; We commit you to their numbers, And we rejoice in having known you; We know one day we shall reunite In that realm to which you flew. We could only keep you with us For a bit of borrowed time, Because you are needed elsewhere — That is the Lord's design. Please, know if you decide to be The conscience on our shoulders. We'll accept your grace with open hearts And learn to live much bolder. We shall never forget your strength Or your embrace of pleasant laughter, Nor the angel who now awaits us In the paradise hereafter. Danielle Grace

HIS LIFE. HIS STORY. Today, we gather in love and in sorrow to honor the life of Kaió John Reis Cypress—a son, a brother, a nephew, a godchild, a teammate, and a young man whose spirit touched everyone who knew him. Kaio came into the world on February 9th, 2008, at Holy Cross Hospital. Even as a newbron, he greeted life with his tiny hand raised, as if already reaching toward the future. From the very beginning, Kaio carried a spark—curious, bright, and full of wonder. As a little boy, Kaió’s intelligence and imagination were unmistakable. He learned to read early, and one of his family’s sweetest memories is of him sitting proudly with his Thomas the Train book, naming every engine with joy. He would sit on his potty watching Nick Jr.—Thomas & Friends, The Backyardigans, Bubble Guppies, and Yo Gabba Gabba—completely absorbed, smiling, laughing, and learning. His mind was sharp, eager, and always exploring. Kaió grew through Kiddie Academy, Maryland City Elementary, and Monarch Elementary, where he was recognized for his intelligence and accepted into their talented and gifted program. When his family moved to Howard County, he and his sister Laa enrolled at Rockburn Elementary. Kaió thrived academically, but more importantly, he continued to grow into himself—kind, funny, thoughtful, and full of heart. He loved his sister deeply. Like all siblings, they teased each other, annoyed each other, and loved each other fiercely. Their bond was one of the constants in his life. During these years, Kaió was active in the Boy Scouts of America, Den 794. He made lasting friendships and embraced every adventure—hikes, challenges, teamwork, and the joy of being outdoors. Boy Scouts gave him a sense of camaraderie and responsibility that stayed with him. Kaió explored many sports—baseball, soccer, basketball—but it was in middle school that he found the one that captured his heart: lacrosse. From the moment he picked up a stick, he fell in love with the game. The community around him—neighbors, friends, coaches—helped shape his passion and confidenceMiddle school was also the time when the world changed. The COVID-19 pandemic closed schools, isolated friends, and shifting life online. Kaió faced these challenges with resilience, navigating a year of virtual classes and disrupted routines with quiet strength.

HIS LIFE. HIS STORY. One of the greatest joys of his high-school years was making the Howard Lions Lacrosse Junior Varsity team. When he learned he made the roster, he was overjoyed. His family got him everything he needed—including a rebounder for the backyard—so he could practice and grow. On the field, Kaió played defensive long stick and sometimes long-stick midfield. He loved the physicality, the strategy, and the responsibility of those positions. Wearing the Howard Lions jersey meant something to him. It was pride. It was identity. It was joy. Kaió was a handsome young man with a magnetic personality. He was extremely likeable—jovial, warm, and able to get along with anyone who engaged him. He made friends wherever he went. Some friendships lasted, others shifted as life changed, but Kaió always carried kindness with him. He was remarkably knowledgeable about sports, intellectually inclined far beyond his years, and passionate about anime and fishing. He embraced every interest with depth and enthusiasm. Kaió dreamed of becoming a dentist, inspired by Dr. James Jenkins of Dentistry for Children—a mentor whose compassion shaped Kaió's hopes for his future. His dream reflected his desire to help others, to care for people, and to build a life rooted in service. Kaió is survived by his father, Duane; his mother, Paula; and his beloved sister, Lua. He is cherished by his godparents—Norma Gilliard, Tuana Pryor, and Carlton Pryor—and by his extended family: uncle Darryl Cypress; Joseph Quander III; great uncle Charles Hansborough; aunts Danielle Quander and Veronica Moton; great aunt Grace Hansbourg; and cousins Charles Mark Hansbourg, Julian Maxwell Quander, Alex Joseph Quander, and Damian John Cypress. Kaió’s life, though far too short, was filled with faith, joy, love, and purpose. His family takes comfort in knowing he rests now in the embrace of Christ, and that his light—his laughter, his kindness, his spirit—will continue to shine in the hearts of all who loved him. Today, we remember Kaió. We honor him. And we carry him forward.

PRECIOUS MEMORIES

PRECIOUS MEMORIES

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSMaryland Veterans Cemetery 1122 Sunrise Beach Rd Crownsville, MD 21032The family of Kaió John Reis Cypress extends our deepest appreciation for the love, prayers, support, and acts of kindness shown during our time of loss. Your thoughtfulness has been a source of comfort and strength.Thank YouPALLBEARERSJacob Yi Jasim khan Josh Edmonds Jean-Pierre Vassor Karl Mortiniera Ryan Cook Diovanni JoyFLOWER BEARERSFamily and FriendsSERVICE LOCATIONHowell Funeral Home 10220 Guilford Rd, Jessup, MD 20794INTERMENT“WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.”MATTHEW 25:23HLACROSSE