"AJ"

July 24, 2002 – November 28, 2023

Alex Isaias Mateo, Jr. , affectionately known as "AJ," was born July 24, 2002. He departed this life on November 28, 2023, at the age of 21.

AJ attended Spotsylvania County schools and graduated from Courtland High School in Fredericksburg, VA in 2020. He had a playful, fun-loving personality and a big smile. During his youth, he was an athlete who played football and ran track. AJ loved music; so much that he would prefer to listen to music than hold a long conversation.

Preceding him in death was his maternal grandfather, Henry Smalls, II and his paternal grandparents, Irene Gross Caminero, and Casimino Mateo.

AJ is, and will forever be, deeply missed by his family and friends. He leaves to cherish his memory, parents, Felicia Smalls-Mateo, and Alex Mateo, Sr.; siblings, Alaya Mateo, and Amir Mateo; maternal grandmother, Rachel Tyson of St. Helena Island, SC; uncles, Damon Smalls of Columbia, SC, Henry Smalls (Brittany) of St. Helena Island, SC., Luis Mateo (Joredismarys), of Miami, FL, Manuel Mateo, of the Dominican Republic, and Harry Gross Caminero (Mary Ann), of Jersey City, NJ; aunts, Diana Shelmire of Sacramento, CA, Carmen Mateo, of Bronx, NY, Ana Mateo (Brad), of Miami, FL, Ana Teresa, Flerida Mateo, and Alejandrina Mateo, all of the Dominican Republic; and a host of cousins and friends.

A viewing will be held at Land of the Promise, 5924 Smith Station Road, Fredericksburg, VA, 22407, on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM.