Nova Rae Clanton's Obituary
We stayed at her bedside for days with every ounce of hope in the world inside our hearts. Remembering how much she fought and overcame, we could not bear to accept that everything was getting worse instead of better this time. Our whole world fell apart as we learned that there would be no more surgeries that could fix what was happening. That the outcome was inevitable. Knowing what she was about to encounter, it was up to us to protect her from suffering and ensure that the time she had left was peaceful. It was on the last day of May that we did what had not been possible during her whole life. We carried her outside through the hospital doors. We sat in the grass as she felt the sun on her face and inhaled fresh air. She laid safely in our arms as birds sang and family surrounded us. Our Nova set with the sun that night. We are all absolutely devastated as we think of what she went through and how painfully she is missed. Also, we take heart that she is now at peace and eternally free of pain. She still lives in all of us as we honor her legacy by loving each other and never taking a single moment for granted. Because of her time here with us, there was unity among the estranged. Lifelong bonds formed between strangers. An entire PICU staff adopted as new family members. Multiple families who came together as one. It was all because of Nova that we experienced and witnessed such great love, and we continue to love her that much and more. She leaves behind a mom and dad who will never, ever stop living for her. She is in everything beautiful around us. Everything we do, we still do for our feisty Warrior Princess, Nova. The sweet, brave, strong little angel who visited our world and changed our lives forever. Back among the stars, but never truly gone, Nova Rae Clanton passed away May 31, 2017 at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. She was born on November 22, 2016 to Eric (Angela Beard) Clanton from Muskegon. Other survivors include grandparents, Jennifer and Ozell Hickman, Justis Beard, Trisha Mayo, Amy and Dexter Clanton; great-grandparents, Kay and Dennis Hall, Linda and Jim Mayo, Sharon and Edward Davis, Mildred and Carl (deceased) Clanton, Sharon and Roger Bowen, Janice Beard and Dr. Jared (deceased) Beard; aunts and uncles, India Clanton, LaTia Clanton, Abigail Beard, Andrew Beard, Micah and Summer Clanton, Paris Hickman, and Jessica Hickman. A MEMORIAL SERVICE for Nova will be held 3:00 PM, Thursday, June 15, 2017 at The Sytsema Chapel, 737 Apple Ave., 231-726-5210. VISITATION with the family will be one hour prior to the service. MEMORIALS can be directed to Mended Little Hearts or Breathing Becomes Effortless Foundation in Nova’s name. Share memories with the family at www.sytsemafh.com.
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