Community mourns loss of Olivia Weatherford
Olivia Weatherford
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — A young girl who has been battling cancer for years passed away on Tuesday afternoon. The whole Cleveland community and surrounding areas are now mourning the loss of Olivia Weatherford.
Those praying and caring for Olivia have been following updates through the Facebook page “LIV – In the Journey.” Cleveland area schools have been supporting Olivia through her journey. They recently took a day to wear purple in her honor.
Her family posted the tragic update to the page late Tuesday night.
Read the full post here:
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**LIV UPDATE – The hard one**
There are two very difficult moments when a family is diagnosed with pediatric cancer: the actual diagnosis, and sharing the loss of that child. Up until now, I’ve only done one of those…
At 6:04 p.m., on Tuesday, September 12, Olivia was officially ushered into Heaven surrounded by her family. After 4 1/2 years of fighting cancer, her fight ended ironically on her 9 1/2 birthday. When she passed, we were all together with Nana and Granna at our house with Olivia nicely tucked into bed.
“I can only imagine” what Olivia is seeing today. THE moment I felt her last heart beat with my fingers, and saw the last exhale of breath from her lungs, part of me sank. The other part, well… it smiled. Bc I truly pictured her opening her eyes in a place unlike any other, surrounded by so many she thought she’d never see, and covered in hair that she thought she’d never have to brush again. There’s a sweet peace in knowing that our hero, our fighter, is finally in the winners circle.
It’s been an emotional day, and life will no longer be the same. For now, we will plan arrangements and share them when ready. We understand there might be many who will want to attend or express their condolences. There’s no doubt we would not have made it this far without you.
Because of her impact on the younger ages, and the amount of children that have spoken her name during dinner prayers, we know this might be a difficult conversation to have with your young ones. Please share with them that Olivia is no longer fighting cancer, and that her spirit will live on in our lives and those we love and embrace. We will see her in the kindness we show others. Her smile will be there when we brighten someone’s day. Her laughter will be heard when someone tells a dad joke or does something silly. And her heart will be seen in the love we show to those in need.
We’ll share details for arrangements when we have them. For now, pray for our souls. Pray for Ella and Eli who broke down asking why sissy isn’t coming home. Pray for peace that is beyond explanation. But most importantly, pray that God continues to have His way in this journey as it continues and that His purpose and will be done.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital”
Olivia Weatherford
