"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5
Anyone who ever met our Piper Leigh knows that she was truly a light shining in the darkness. We were told prior to her birth that she would be "special," and "special" does not even begin to describe Piper. She has taught us joy, laughter, compassion, peace, forgiveness and love. Piper found joy in everything and was what God intends His children to be. Her excitement for life was contagious and no one could meet her and not be blessed. People were drawn to her, and everywhere we went she would make new friends instantly. Piper's name became an adjective in our family, as she was the embodiment of life, laughter, and love. Piper loved spending time with her friends, dancing and singing, drawing and writing, and collecting 1D "merch." Piper just completed her junior year at Kingwood High School and was actively involved with the Special Olympics, Best Buddies, Theater Arts, and the Hope Ministry at Woodridge Baptist Church. We are so very proud of her.
Piper was taken from us far too soon, and has left behind her best friend and mommy, Kathy, her "sibs" Ashley, Taylor, and Courtney, who doted on her endlessly, and hundreds of family and friends who will feel her absence daily. She is finally reunited with her daddy and her Heavenly Father who were anxiously waiting to welcome her home.
We love you sweet Piper Leigh, you are truly our Joyous Spirit!

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Dot Chapman
June 23, 2015
I have just been heartsick since I saw about Piper in the newspaper! I have so many wonderful memories of her trying so hard to learn at Kumon and so truly inspiring with her attitude and accomplishments! I am just thankful that I was blessed to have been able to have that time with such a precious one!
Risa McCann
June 23, 2015
I never had the blessing of teaching Piper at KHS but would would often see her in the hallways and cafeteria. When I did see her she always had that gorgeous smile and cheerful countenance. She will be missed by all of us at KHS. May God keep you all close to His loving heart while you grieve the loss of your Earthly Angel. -Risa McCann
Phyllis Laurent
June 22, 2015
We never met but I've heard about this sweet girl. My prayers are with you now in this time of sadness because this beautiful girl will truly be missed.
Anne-Marie Laws
June 20, 2015
We are sorry for your loss and think of Piper with great fondness, especially we remember her affection and famous Piper hugs. Wishing you strength as you grieve Kathy
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Annie Horne
June 18, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Denise Lee
June 17, 2015
Mrs. Kathy,
I am so sorry to hear about Piper's passing. I am just in total shock right now. It breaks my heart. She was the sweetest, most precious girl. I always loved seeing her smiling face in the toy store when you would come to Baton Rouge to visit. Every time of think of Piper, I think of her as a little girl dressed up in her Madeline costume. We still have that picture of her at the toy store and I will forever think of her when I see the book or doll. I am so heart broken for your family and you will be in my prayers.
Lisa Harrison
June 17, 2015
So sorry to learn of Piper's passing. I only knew Piper from my son talking about her. I truly wished that I had met her in person and gotten to share in her sweet life. Piper touched my life even though i had neveer met her! What a blessing! God bless your family!
Aleena
June 17, 2015
If not one single sparrow that falls to the ground does not go unnoticed to our loving Heavenly Father said His Son Christ Jesus, how much more is the passing of Piper-Matthew 10:29-31.
June 17, 2015
It has been a blessing to have known Piper!!! I will miss her catching smile! You have my deepest sympathy!
Deb Tillett (Humble ISD)
Morgan Stasny
June 17, 2015
Piper truly was a blessing to all that knew her. I feel so lucky that God chose me to be one of her friends. Although I was one of her "Peer Tutors" and was meant to be teaching her, what she taught me about life, acceptance, and love proves to be far more important than anything I could have ever taught her. At school she talked endlessly about her family and how much she loved them. She was constantly telling stories about all of the fun things she did with her "Mommy" outside of school. I know the Gwin family feels that Piper was the biggest and best gift God could have given them, but they should know that Piper felt the exact same way about all of them. God knew what he was doing when he blessed the Gwin family with their "special" girl, and I know many lives were changed for the better because of it. Including mine. Although Piper has now passed on and is now reunited with her "Daddy" and hevanly father I know for certian that bits and pieces of her will live on in everyones hearts she touched during her seventeen years here on earth. So thank you Piper for putting a smile on my face everyday, you will be loved and missed so very much. "A happy heart makes a cheerful face" Proverbs 15:13 Until we meet again sweet girl.
Lisa Harrison
June 17, 2015
So sorry to learn of Piper's passing. I only knew Piper from my son talking about her. I truly wished that I had met her in person and gotten to share in her sweet life. Piper touched my life even though i had neveer met her! What a blessing! God bless your family!
Mindy McQueen
June 17, 2015
Kathy, Ashley, Taylor & Courtney: all of us need to become more "Piper" in our daily lives! I will miss her beautiful smile, very funny sense of humor, excitement, joy and appreciation for everything and everyone. I will always think of her when hear 1D. I remember sitting on your front porch in the rocking chairs with her and hearing all about them. My deepest sympathies to your family.
June 16, 2015
My name is Debbie, I live in Plaquemine, and don't know your family.Just looking at Piper's picture tells me of how she was loved. May you all remain in God's love and never forget the love Piper gave you.
Tanya Wisler
June 16, 2015
So sorry for the loss of Piper. What a precious gift of this very special girl.
Renee' Taylor
June 16, 2015
Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss. My family has some beautiful memories of Piper, she was such a beautiful, sweet person. Please know you and your family are in our prayers.
Becky Miller
June 16, 2015
I didn't know Piper but wish I would have. Sounds to me like she was quite special to everyone who knew her. My condolences to the family. God bless you
Conchetta Foshee
June 16, 2015
Kathy, Ashley, Taylor and Courtney,
We are heartbroken to hear that Piper has passed away. She, and all of you, were so very special and dear to us. We have such fun and happy memories of tutu's and dancing! Piper made imprints on our hearts that will remain forever. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers.
Much Love,
Conchetta and Cole Catherine
June 16, 2015
Kathy, Ashley, Taylor, and Courtney please know that we are thinking of you during this very difficult time.
We will miss Piper.
The Janssen family
GT Town
June 16, 2015
You have our deepest condolences. May the God of "Loyal Love" comfort your family during this time of sorrow. Psalms 119:76
LArry MUse
June 16, 2015
Obviously Piper completed her Angel work here on the surface and was called home to continue her mission on a broader scope all the while being able to keep a loving eye on her mommy and siblings she left behind. Sad we have to say goodbye as we need all the Angels we can keep with us! RIP beautiful young lady!
Judy Cashen
June 15, 2015
Kathy, Ashley, Taylor, and Courtney,
There are a few bright stars that come to mind when I look back on the 32 years I taught God's special little ones, and Piper is there with those who shine the brightest. I was blessed to know you all when Piper was just a tiny little girl with a big bow in her hair and a mischievous twinkle in her eye!!! What a joy she was to have in my class...one of my favorite memories, though I was horrified at the time it happened, was the walk to breakfast one morning early in the school year, when I turned around to see a smiling little girl standing fully dressed in one of the water filled wading pools positioned along the side walk, new school shoes and all! Piper had a joy of life and a beautiful smile that made it impossible to have a bad day in her presence and attracted everyone to her! She was always the child that visitors remembered and stopped back in to check on and share another smile with. I have a little bunny that she gave me, and at the beginning of every school year I unpacked it and put it back on my desk with a smile and a sweet memory! And there is a Christmas ornament with her picture, that goes on my tree each year. I have fond memories of home visits with you, Kathy, where we shared the joys and concerns of being mothers of two of God's special little girls. Jaimee remembers Piper and shares in my prayers for you and your family as you go through this difficult time. May God bless and comfort you all. I am so very sorry!
Love, Judy
Ms Liza
June 15, 2015
Dear Kathy, Taylor, Ashley and Courtney, We are so saddened by the news of Piper's passing. She will always be the cute little girl with the big smile, big bow in her hair, wearing the school uniform her grandmother made for her and who had the incredibly wonderful family. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. With much love, Ms. Liza and the Southdowns' Family
Bitsy Hatch
June 15, 2015
So sorry for the loss of you sweet Piper. Children are special gifts from God. What a joy and blessing she has been to you family and those who knew her well. Prayers for your healing. May you feel God's ever loving presence with you.
Julie Kirsch
June 15, 2015
I will be praying for you all..I am truly sad reading her beautiful obituary... She was surely loved and that beautiful smile shows it...
Gerette Pattison
June 15, 2015
We have been blessed to have one of God's angel among us. May God comfort you during this very difficult time.
Jeanne Lieux Walker
June 15, 2015
Kathy, Taylor, Ashley, and Courtney. A person that departs from this earth never truly leaves. Piper is still alive in your hearts and minds, and through you, Piper lives on just like Scott does. As Christians, we know that one day will join our loved ones, living together forever with Jesus. God bless you all.
Suzi Spinks
June 15, 2015
Our family will deeply miss Piper. She was a bright light! We truly enjoyed our time with her in Hope Ministry. We are so sorry for your loss and will continue to pray for your family.
Suzi Spinks
Liesl & Jack Daniel
June 15, 2015
We are sad and sorry for your loss. What a precious girl. A blessing to all.
Jenise and Jerry Cronan
June 15, 2015
Kathy, Jerry and I will miss Piper so much! What a wonderful Angel God allowed for us to experience here on earth. Our heart grieves so much, and we will never understand this until we meet out Savior face to face. Just think, Piper and Scott are dancing on those streets of Gold already. Kyle, April, Andi and Kevin also send their condolences. We will all miss her and I wish you could visit my Facebook to see all the wonderful things people have said about her. Praying for you daily. Piper and Scott are with the Lord! "Oh how wonderful, Oh, how marvelous, and our song shall ever be.....Oh our wonderful, oh how marvelous, is my Savor's love for me." God is holding them in his hand right now! She was a true treasure here on earth!
Robilyn Pettit
June 15, 2015
Kathy, I am so blessed to have known Piper. With our precious Presley Anne, you and Piper comforted us so much with seeing how joyous children having DS are! I am so grateful that you and Piper got to meet and hold Presley the week before Piper went into the hospital! God used that meeting to so encourage our whole family! Piper touched so many lives and I know she will be missed, but I pray her precious memories will warm our hearts until we meet her again! I know she and Scott are rejoicing in heaven. We love you and you can come love on Presley Anne anytime you need to!!
Gloria A
June 15, 2015
Did not know Piper, however the light on her face was so bright. Family, we will be praying with and for you that God will bring you comfort at this time and the times to come. Piper touched my heart in just seeing her smiling face. God bless you..
Cheryl Hall
June 15, 2015
So sorry for your loss and I remember so many stories from Ashley. I know she will be missed by all.
Dave Flores
June 15, 2015
Kathy, Ashley, Taylor and Courtney,
Although we have never met, my heart and sincere condolences goes out to all of you. I have prayed for you and Piper over the months through a prayer chain that Teresa sent out. And speaking from the experience of lossing a child myself, it something that we will never understand or get over. But a song "With Hope" by Steven Curtis Chapman seems to sum it up well. Please listen to it. There is hope that we will see each other again. Piper is whole again and in her Daddy's arms. And it is that beautiful smile and fight and zest for life that you will always remember in Piper. Keep her sweet spirit alive everyday in your hearts, that is where she will live forever.
May God bless and comfort you all in the days, weeks and months ahead of you. My prayers are with you today and through this tough weekend ahead.
With Love
Wayne Free
June 14, 2015
I am so sorry for your loss Kathy. We were shocked by the news. Amber and Carson loved Piper and enjoyed playing sports with her and seeing her at the YMCA. Our prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Ann Champagne
June 14, 2015
We have such good memories of Piper, Noah and Bryce when Jared was with them at Willow Creek. Kathy, you were always so kind and made us feel welcomed when we were new to Kingwood. We are so very sorry about Piper. Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers, Ann Champagne & Jared Davis
Sarah Wursche
June 14, 2015
Kathy, Ashley, Taylor, and Courtney I am so saddened for the loss of Piper here on this earth. She was such a delight to teach the 4 years I had her in my classroom. She brought joy and laughter to my days. She was so full of love and hugs. I truly loved Piper. I pray you will heal from this tragedy. May you feel Jesus' arms wrapped around you during this difficult time.
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