Sophia Ann Myers

2009 - 2017

Sophia Ann Myers

Sophia Ann Myers, our perfect, beautiful, sassy, 7 year old daughter, and the love and light of our lives, went to Jesus on October 20, 2017. Sophia died from Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) brain cancer in the loving arms of her father and mother after an almost 8 month battle with this disease. Sophia had many nicknames, Baby Bug, Bug, Buggy, Doodle Bug…but her favorite was SoSo. Sophia had a zest for life and will to live that showed even to her very last breath. Sophia was such an old little soul in her youth. Her wit, wisdom, compassion for all things living, her kindness, her gentleness, her friendliness, her genuineness and sweetness, her humor, her love for her family and of the Lord were so precious to witness. Sophia was an amazing child. Anyone who knew Sophia knew she had her own personal style and marched to the beat of her own drum. She will be remembered for her wild hair and outfits that "go but don't match." Sophia had an infectious smile and laugh. Sophia's eyes were so beautiful, bright, and full of life. She just beamed. She lit up every room she entered. Although shy, Sophia had a quiet confidence about her. We miss her silly faces and jokes already. Sophia was the perfect mix of tomboy and girly-girl princess. She was a daddy's girl and her mommy's side kick and "mini me." In her 7 years of life she gave us a lifetime of love. She was our buddy, the joy of our lives, and Josh and I are lost without her. Fly with the angels baby. Dance and sing sweet girl.

Sophia was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Honorable William "Bill" Harbin Myers; her cousins, Christian and Matthew Myers; and her guinea pig, Meatball.

She is survived by her maternal great grandparents, Earline (Jim) Gautier and Harold (Ellen) Knight; her paternal grandmother, Edith Ann Myers; her maternal grandparents, Jim and Pam Patano; her father, Joshua Myers; her mother, Angel Myers (Scott McIlrath); her uncle, Bill and aunt, Brigette Myers; her cousin Price Myers; her uncle, Rob and aunt, Julie McDearmon; her uncles, Austin Patano (Stephanie Key) and Adam Patano (Devan Smith); her great uncle, Nick and aunt, Susan Randazzo; her great uncle, Nick and aunt, Mary Patano; her great aunt, Linda Roberts; her great uncle, Pete Patano; great uncle, John and aunt, Shelia Nyeste; great uncle, David and aunt, Suzy Knight; great uncle, Brian and aunt, Robyn Knight; and great uncle, Randy and aunt, Lori Knight.

Sophia was a second grade student at Oak Park Elementary. We love and thank our Oak Park family, especially Dr. Pope, Mrs. Rutherford, Mrs. Sumrall, Mrs. Ockman, Mrs. McCardle, and Lara Jenkins. Sophia took dance since she was 2 years old, and for the last 3 years, was a student at Donna's Visual and Performing Arts Center. Sophia was a member of the itty bitty DKG competition dance team. She was a member of Girl Scout troop 3560, and a soccer player. Sophia loved to run and ran in 1 mile races with her dad. Sophia was a great swimmer and overall talented athlete. Sophia was a skilled fisherman and whipped the boys at sea and sail camp last year, racking up two awards for her fishing skills. She loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. She often made up love songs for her mom and dad. She was a talented artist and showered her family with thoughtful drawings and artwork. Sophia was a generous child always concerned about everyone else in her life. Sophia was the proud puppy mommy of Governor (Guv-na) and Princess. Sophia loved animals and had such a heart for all of them.

We are proud of our daughter and know what an incredible blessing she was and will continue to be. Sophia brought the Gulf Coast community together in a way that most have never seen or experienced before, but she also touched lives around the nation and the world. Her parents received messages of hope and stories of how God was working through this terrible nightmare from South Africa, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Finland, France, Canada, Brazil, and Sweden to name a few. Our beautiful girl has left a legacy in her 7 years that most of us hope to accomplish in a full lifetime.

We want to thank Dr. Van Wurm and his staff, especially Dana Drake. We want to thank the medical professionals at Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi, Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, Children's Hospital of Atlanta and the AFLAC Cancer Center of Atlanta, Emory's Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, the PICU and Child Life teams at USA's Children's and Women's Hospital in Mobile, Alabama and our medical family at Ocean Springs Hospital here at home. We also want to thank Hospice of Light for helping us grant Sophia's final wish of coming home. Thank you to our Hospice team Crystal, Andi, Connie, Teresa, Nikki, Pat, and Dr. Hull. We love you. We want to thank the Hall and Graham family who gave Sophia a real home while she endured radiation and chemotherapy in Atlanta. We want to extend our sincerest and deepest gratitude to the Riemann family and their staff. They have made this devastating loss bearable knowing our baby is in their care. We also want to thank the Schoenberger and Mohler families, who despite their own grief and loss came to our support and met needs that we didn't even know we had. Thank you to Luckie's Furniture who helped us make Sophia comfortable in her final days at home. We are forever grateful. Thank you to our church family at St. Paul United Methodist and Mosaic- there are no words sufficient. We simply thank you and love you. We want to especially thank MJ Kirby, Jill Taylor, and Brandon Conner. We also want to thank the Make-A Wish Foundation, The Miss Mississippi Organization, the Do it For the Love Foundation, the Miss United States Organization, The Cure Starts Now Foundation, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, and the Ronald McDonald House for helping us to give Sophia quality of life and to meet our needs during this terrible journey. There are so many other businesses, schools, organizations, and individuals who helped us that we cannot name them all-so to our community-we love you and thank you for what you have done for our family. Every prayer, every thought, every kind word, every donation, every effort you made on our behalf is noticed and deeply, deeply appreciated.

We ask that you honor Sophia by seeking God in all things. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to one of the following: Sophia Myers Benefit Account at Community Bank, the Jackson County Animal Shelter, The Cure Starts Now Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, or the Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG foundation. Our family is so grateful God blessed us with Sophia and that you blessed us with your love, generosity, and support.

Visitation will be held Wednesday October 25, 2017, from 4pm-7pm at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOMES, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd. Sophia's Celebration of Life will be held Thursday October 26, 2017, at St. Paul UMC East Campus at 2 pm, followed by entombment at Evergreen Cemetery overlooking the bayou.

A reception will follow the committal at St. Paul UMC East Campus. The family invites you to celebrate Sophia's life by wearing clothing as bright and fun as our beautiful girl was.

Memories can be shared at www.riemannfamily.com