She was a spark, a brightly burning ember passing through our lives. A firefly giving off a glow in the middle of the darkest nights. She was a wind of fresh air and grace over our lives. She leaves a mark, that will never be erased. Our sweet girl, Ava Lanae Drew, age 7, of Vernon, Florida went home to be with her Jesus on November 16, 2023, at Doctor’s Memorial Hospital in Bonifay, Florida, surrounded by those who loved her the deepest in this world.
She entered this life on March 9, 2016, in Marianna, Florida to her parents John “Coty” Drew and Amanda Lianne Drew (Lewellen). The baby of the family. The only girl. The most beautiful princess. The answer to their prayers, and the source of some of the greatest joy and faith they could ever hope for.
Blonde hair, blue eyes and the most beautiful soul wrapped up in a tiny body. Ava met the love of her life when she was just a toddler. His name, Jesus. You could find her robed in her pretty little flowered dresses skipping through the doors of the sanctuary, and ultimately at the altar one of two ways. She either was kneeling with head bowed and eyes closed in prayer or standing with the tiniest arms stretched up to the sky singing praises to her King. A grain of mustard seed sized faith planted in the soil of her heart grew into the biggest tree you’d ever know. This tiny might was a POWERHOUSE of faith. She knew God could do it. Many of her prayers have been answered and her tree of faith became a place for her family and all of those who knew her could find shelter. She prayed her parents through to life and salvation in Jesus. She never met a stranger and embraced everyone with the love of her Beloved. She was so full of life and love. She was a typical happy child and at the same time she was anything but ordinary. She loved her yellow flower dress and would have worn it every Sunday if mommy allowed it. She never tried to be the center of attention, but you couldn’t help but notice her and how special she was. She was a 2nd grade student at Vernon Elementary School. While she couldn’t wait to be around all her people at the schoolhouse, there was one thing she wasn’t afraid to let you know—she HATED schoolwork. Especially when they sent that schoolwork to the house! Ava loved to paint, play outside, and play dress up with her cousins. It could never get girly enough! She loved all her family and friends so very much. She did not get to live a long life here on this earth, but she lived 7 years FULL of the most life, faith, and love that you could imagine. Some people spend their whole lives hoping to make a mark on this world, but she came in like lightning and has etched herself on the hearts of her parents, siblings, family, friends, and community. Ava will forever be dancing barefoot in a fancy dress, hands raised to the heavens in our minds and memories. She will never be forgotten, and we know that she is safely with the Lord anxiously waiting for all of us to join her. And on behalf of our precious girl, we ask you this: Do you know Jesus as your Lord and personal savior? If not, you can know Him and make heaven your forever home. Ava will be rejoicing with all the angels when you say, “Yes,” to Jesus. Cause no doubt, when she was saying her prayers, she was sending up some for you too.
Ava is preceded in death by her paternal grandfather: Allen Drew.
She is survived by her parents: Coty and Amanda Drew of Vernon, FL; maternal grandparents: Lounette Jenkins (Timothy) of Vernon, FL, and Ronnie Grant of Westville, FL; paternal grandmother: Wonda Carroll of Marianna, FL; brothers: Devin McKeithen of Vernon, FL; Colton McKeithen of Vernon, FL; and Jaxson Drew of Vernon, FL; several aunts and uncles, cousins, and extended family.
The family would like to extend a special amount of love and appreciation to Paula Stanley, ARNP and the staff of Dr. Yunus’ office in Bonifay, the E.R. staff at Doctor’s Memorial Hospital in Bonifay and to the Washington County EMS Crew for their tender and loving care of Ava and our family in this painfully hard time. Our gratitude, love and prayers will forever be extended to you all. May the Lord hold you close and comfort you as He is comforting and holding us.
Funeral services to celebrate this precious one will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at The Majestic Oaks in Vernon, Florida, with Pastor Timothy Jenkins and Pastor Cody Boyett officiating. Interment to follow at New Bethany Assembly of God cemetery in Vernon, FL. Obert Funeral Home of Chipley, Florida directing. Serving as pall bearers: Seth Ward, Alan English, John Drummond, Jordan Drew, Devin McKeithen and Colton McKeithen
The family will receive friends and family for visitation one hour prior to the service. (10 a.m.)
