Zachariah Gene Wise-Gilliam, affectionately known and deeply loved as “Baby Zee” and “Pork Chop,” was born on February 5, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio, to his loving parents, Sharelle J. Wise and Daniel Gilliam Sr. On September 15, 2026, at just 19 months old, Zachariah took his last breath in Steubenville, Ohio, leaving behind a family whose lives were forever changed by the love, laughter, and joy he brought into them.

Zachariah was the baby of the family, and everyone made sure he knew it. He was loved beyond measure and extra spoiled by everyone in the household. His mommy lovingly called him her “Velcro Baby” because wherever Mommy was, that was exactly where Zee wanted to be, attached to her hip.

While there was no denying that he was Mommy’s baby, Zachariah also shared a special bond with his father, Daniel, his big sisters TyJayah and TyAire, and his big brother Jeremiah. After the family moved back to Steubenville from Columbus, Zachariah became even more spoiled and attached to his mommy, but it wasn’t long before he formed special bonds with his Aunt Kia and Aunt Kel as well. Those relationships meant so much because raising and loving their Pork Chop truly took a village, and his village loved him tremendously.

Baby Zee had a personality much bigger than his little body. He was determined, bold, strong, and definitely did not like taking “no” for an answer. He knew what he wanted, and even at such a young age, he had his own special way of letting everyone know it.

And Zee loved being the center of attention!

Music was one of the things that could always get him going. When his favorite sounds came on and Baby Zee started dancing, his family knew exactly what to do:

“Go Zee! Go Zee! Go Zee!”

The more everyone hyped him up, the more he would dance and show out. Those little moments, watching him dance, cheering him on, and seeing how happy he was to have everyone’s attention, are memories his family will hold onto forever.

And then there was food.

When it came to eating, Zee Baby did not discriminate! If it was food, chances were Pork Chop wanted some. His love for eating started early, around three months old, and after spending a few months with Gma Nikki and Grandad Mark, he returned home with a little more love on him and a brand-new nickname.

His big cousin Iyanna took one look at him and gave him the name that would stick:

“Pork Chop.”

From then on, Baby Zee and Pork Chop became names spoken with nothing but love.

Although Zachariah’s time on this earth was far too short, his life cannot be measured by the number of months he was here. In just 19 months, he gave his family a lifetime of memories. He taught them just how much love could fit inside such a tiny person.

The name Zachariah means “The Lord has remembered,” and his name now carries an even deeper meaning for those who love him. His family will remember his smile, his dancing, his love for food, his stubborn little determination, the way he stayed attached to Mommy, and the way he soaked up every ounce of attention his family gave him.

Zachariah leaves to cherish his precious memory his loving parents, Sharelle J. Wise and Daniel Gilliam Sr.; his godmother, Keisha Wise (Suggs); his sisters, TyJayah Wise-Green, TyAire Wise-Green, Sincerity Gilliam, and Tariah Hython; and his brothers, Jeremiah Wise-Gilliam, Daniel “Lil Dan” Gilliam Jr., and Noah Gilliam; along with a village of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and loved ones whose lives are forever better because Baby Zee was a part of them.

There were so many birthdays left to celebrate, milestones left to witness, dances left to cheer for, foods left for Pork Chop to try, and memories his family still wanted to make. Nineteen months simply wasn’t enough.

But the love Baby Zee gave during those 19 months will have to last a lifetime, and it will.

His family will continue to say his name.They will continue to tell his stories.They will laugh when they remember their little Pork Chop being spoiled.They will hear a song and remember yelling, “Go Zee! Go Zee!”And they will carry him with them through every day that comes next.

Zachariah may have been the baby of the family, but the impact he left behind was enormous.

Forever Mommy’s “Velcro Baby.”Forever our Baby Zee.Forever our Pork Chop.Forever loved, forever spoiled, and forever remembered.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 4:00 p.m. at Gregory-Martin Funeral Home, Steubenville Chapel, 255 S. 7th Street, Steubenville, Ohio.