Ava Elaine Dickerson's Obituary
DICKERSON, AVA ELAINE Our sweet, courageous baby Ava Elaine earned her angel wings and is now resting peacefully in the arms of Christ. Her journey into this world began on October 22, 2010 in Dallas, TX. Precious Ava’s brave battle against Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) ended on December 7, 2010, despite fighting with all of her amazing will and strength. She laced up her pink boxing gloves (from grandpa) to fight this condition and along with the care and compassion of the brilliant staff at Children’s Medical Center, she overcame many obstacles that CDH babies face. The doctors, surgeons, nurses, and ECMO team never gave up the battle against CDH and neither did Ava. Her will to live and the dedication of her doctors led to breakthroughs in the treatment of CDH. We cannot be more thankful to the entire Children’s family for all of the love and care they have shown. Ava stole the hearts of everyone who knew her or of her through reading her story. Her CDH journey can be read on her website: www.caringbridge.org/visit/avaelaine. Ava was preceded in death by her great grandparents, Willis and Janet Elaine Rogy, Russel Rohde, James Robert and Sally Gardner, and her special cousin, Billy Watt. Ava is survived by her loving parents James Todd and Jennifer (Rohde) Dickerson, adoring grandparents Jack and Karen Rohde, Ted and Angeline DeMoss, big brother Jason Dickerson, Aunt Kristi (Bryan) Hunter, and Aunt Darby Dickerson. Ava has two special cousins, Mandy and Ally Hunter, who showered her with loving notes and pictures that decorated her room. Jason, Mandy and Ally are saddened that they never had the chance to play with Ava. Ava is also survived by great Aunts and Uncles: Barb (Rob) Kelsh, Lori (Dave) Morse, Bill (Becky) Rogy, Tom (Debbie) Rohde, Debby Rohde, Eric (Michele) Rohde, and a host of loving cousins and dear friends. A memorial service to celebrate and honor Ava’s life will be held on Tuesday, December 14th, at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, 408 Park Ave., Dallas, TX 75201. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 13th, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Ave, 75243. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in honor of Ava Elaine Dickerson to First Presbyterian Developmental Day School of Dallas, 408 Park Ave., Dallas, TX 75201. First Presbyterian is currently under construction and expanding their welcome center, historic facilities, including a rejuvenation of its youth area, and the creation of a beautiful chapel garden. It will be through donations that a memorial monument, such as a bench or fountain, is made in Ava’s name. It will serve as a place for prayer, reflection, and healing to all. Special thanks to all of Ava’s prayer warriors including family and friends, many of whom we have never met, who gave us support and hope every day of Ava’s life.
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