Shannon McFarlane Sproul

Shannon MacFarlane Sproul, of Sanford, FL beloved daughter and sister, went home to the Lord October 3, 2012. Born August 19, 1997 in Abingdon, Virginia, she is survived by her father and her sisters Darby, Delaney, Erin Claire and Maili, as well as brothers Campbell, Reilly and Donovan. Shannon was diagnosed with lissencephaly, a rare malformation of the brain when she was 1 year old. Profoundly disabled she never progressed mentally beyond the capacity of a toddler. She was a constant joy and delight to all who knew her. Her interests included music, her siblings, car rides, sunbeams, and she maintained throughout her life a constant passion for balloons. Many upon first meeting her felt sorry for her parents and siblings. They worried about the burden they carried in caring for a child with special needs. It did not take long, however, to dispel that notion. Shannon was disabled, but she was no burden. She was a blessing. Her immovable joy, her unshakable trust, her delight in giving delight and her constant wonder at God's great world made her our spiritual better. She taught us how to begin to become like children, and thus showed us the very Kingdom of God. There, in the fullness of the kingdom, she dances with her Lord, even as she sings His praises. There, she who was lame leaps for joy, even as she, who was mute, has her loosed tongue employed. Shannon and her family belong to Saint Andrew's Chapel in Sanford. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to the Denise Sproul Memorial Scholarship Fund at Reformation Bible College in Sanford. A viewing will be held Friday, Oct. 5 from 5 to 7pm at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home in Sanford/Lake Mary. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 at 10am at Saint Andrew's Chapel.