CLAIRE ELIZABETH DENNIS

rogers - Claire Elizabeth Dennis, age 14, entered Heaven on August 8, 2014. She passed away unexpectedly following a sudden illness at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, AR. She was born June 22, 2000, in West Memphis, AR to her loving parents Jay and Lisa Dennis. She was deeply loved by her brother, Alexander James and sisters, Caroline Tennison and Mary Grace. Claire was an amazing, spectacular young lady. She was gorgeous inside and out, had brilliant intelligence, and was gifted beyond her years. Her beautiful smile touched everyone’s heart. She loved her Lord, Jesus Christ and was an earnest Christian. Her deep love of her family was foremost in her heart. She adored her siblings, finding new ways to instigate games and imaginative events with them. She could be found in her home with her brother and sisters building tree houses, organizing plays or recitals, creating synchronized swimming routines, or simply reading bedtime stories and saying night time prayers. She loved to spend time with her mother and father, making them laugh with her creative wit and charm. She was mature beyond her years, and was a best friend to her parents. She loved to be with her extended family as well - her grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. They are all better people for having known her. She was a passionate reader, and a lover of knowledge. Her response to God’s perfect work of creation was to learn as much as she could about the world and its people. She would read an encyclopedia as easily and with as much joy as a novel. Her room is filled with books and she could often be found reading in her chair or on her fluffy bean bag. Her love for, and gift of music was extraordinary. When she touched a piano, Angels danced. When she held a violin, Cherubs sang along with her. She composed several award winning piano pieces as an elementary student and was first chair violin in the Fullbright Junior High orchestra. She filled her home with beautiful music as she sat at her baby grand piano for hours and hours. Her musical gift was a blessing from God. She played by ear, and could perform a song after only hearing it once or twice. She had memorized hundreds of songs and could play them at will - without sheet music or preparation. She was a gifted artist. Her paintings, drawings, and writings received State and National awards. Numerous plaques honoring her work hang in the Bailey Station Elementary Hall of Fame. In her room at home, these pieces will be cherished by her family for years to come. She loved her community and her school. Claire was an honor student of the highest order. Her academic accomplishments are vast and include being honored in the Duke TIP Program in the earliest grade the program accepts students. She was a member of gifted and talented programs such as APEX and TREC. She earned eligibility to participate in all Pre AP courses offered in junior high and achieved the highest grades possible in each. As a seventh grader, she took the ACT and achieved a score that would make her eligible for any university in our country. Claire earned a genius level score when given an IQ test in her elementary school years. She was an active, healthy young woman. Claire was a cheerleader for the Fulbright Junior High “Timberwolves”. She also participated in gymnastics, and dance. Prior to moving to Rogers, she excelled at competitive soccer in Collierville, TN. Her friends were a pillar in her life and she was loyal and honest in her friendships. She rejected exclusion and had a passion for uniting people. You could find her bringing varied students together for class projects and activities. She reached out to help peers in times of need and gave of herself generously. She was active in numerous clubs and civic organizations. She was a member of the Bentonville-Rogers Junior Cotillion, and had been active at the Pinnacle Country Club. She embodied grace and class in all her relationships. Claire was an active member of the Central United Methodist Church of Rogers. She could be found playing on an old baby grand piano in the Chapel after Sunday service. Her relationship with her Lord was both intellectual and spiritual and she relied upon His Word in her daily life. She was preceded in death by her great-grandfathers, Jack Craig Tennison of West Memphis, AR, James William (Jack) Dennis of Seymour, TN and Julian Alexander of St. Petersburg, FL; great-grandmother, Margaret Thibodeaux of Grand Coteau, LA; two great uncles, Steve Alexander of St. Petersburg, FL and Michael Koballa of Greensboro, NC. Survivors include her loving grandparents, Bill and Alice Tennison of West Memphis, AR, and Jerry and Ann Dennis of Seymour, TN; two uncles, Chris Tennison (Elizabeth) of West Memphis and their children, Andrea and William and Jeremiah Dennis (Aura) of Atlanta, GA; three great grandmothers, Patricia Alexander of St. Petersburg, FL, Joyce Tennison of West Memphis, AR, and Rosie Dennis of Seymour, TN; great uncle and aunt, Bob and Becky Alexander of Rogers, AR; great-aunt, Linda Koballa of Greensboro, NC and many loving cousins and other relatives. In honor of Claire funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, August 14, at Central United Methodist Church with the Rev. Carness Vaughan officiating at 2535 W. New Hope Road, Rogers, AR 72758. A private burial will be at Pinnacle Memorial Gardens in Rogers, AR. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Central United Methodist Church of Rogers, where a fund is being established to place a new grand piano in her honor in the Chapel she loved so much. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Words of comfort may be expressed at stockdalefuneral.com (479)631-1353