DeMario “M.J.” Kirkland was a little boy, but he had a big personality.

“He was an amazing 10-year-old. He had the spirit of an old man,’’ said his aunt, Tamicah Kirkland. “You would not think that he was 10.

M.J. was killed Sunday when he was hit by a car in southwest Birmingham.

His death has been a blow to his family. His father, DeMario Kirkland Sr., died just two years ago.

“We still haven’t gotten over the death of his dad, and now this,’’ Kirkland said. “He was his father’s only child and everything we had left of his brother. Now we have nothing.”

The crash happened at about 12:15 p.m. in the 3200 block of Jefferson Avenue. Authorities said was riding in the road when he was struck by a car, which stayed on the scene.

M.J. was taken to Children’s of Alabama where he was pronounced dead at 12:49 p.m.

Kirkland said M.J. lived in the Wenonah community. She said she still doesn’t have clarity on what happened Sunday.

“All I know his mom called me and said her baby was gone and I just got in the car and drove to the hospital,’’ she said. “She had gotten called by some kids who said he’d been hit by a car.”

The family was able to see M.J. after he passed away to say their final goodbyes.

M.J.’s death came after a summer of dream vacations for any child.

In June, he took his first plane ride with Kirkland, paternal grandmother Tywanna Patterson, and other family members when they flew to Miami for a six-day cruise to Jamaica, Mexico and Grand Cayman.

To the Captain’s Ball on the ship, M.J. wore a red suit, complete with a vest and bowtie.

“He swore up and down that suit cost $1 million. Then it went to a billion dollars and then a gazillion dollars,’’ Kirkland said with a laugh.

“I asked him if he could count to a gazillion dollars and he said, ‘I don’t know Auntie, I just know I look good.’ And he did.”

In July, Kirkland took the family to Disney World, another first for M.J.

“He rode every ride,’’ she said. “He had a great time.”

Patterson said she’s so thankful for all he experience in the months before his death.

“I just feel like God knew this was it,’’ Patterson said.

M.J. was in the fifth grade at Oxmoor Valley Elementary School. Officials said the mood there was somber Monday morning.

“It breaks our heart to announce that 5th grade student, Demario Kirkland was hit by a car and sadly lost his life today,’’ the school said in a Sunday Facebook post.

“Please pray for his family and our school family. Counselors will be on site tomorrow to assist students and staff during this difficult time.”

“He loved school,’’ his aunt said.

Patterson said her grandson had a rough life, but still managed to shine.

“He was the best kid,’’ she said through tears.

Kirkland said M.J. will be remembered for so many things, including his dimples, his smile and his personality.

“He was the light in a room,’’ she said.

While his family called him M.J., his friends called him “Moneybags,” because he was always flashing a handful of $1 bills.

“He was hilarious,’’ Kirkland said.

M.J. loved football.

“He thought he was Odell Beckham,’’ she said. “He told us he was going to the NFL and was going to buy his mom a big house. We told him, ‘You can do that.’’

He also loved his family.

“He was a family baby,’’ Kirkland said. “Either side gave him whatever he wanted. He was spoiled.”