Faith Daggitt

LIFESTORY:

There are times when life seems so unfair, so cruel, and so full of questions that resound in the depths of our soul. Why some are given so many years in which to compose their life’s symphony while others are given a mere heartbeat in time is a question that will forever plague our souls. Faith Daggitt was just starting out on her journey when she was taken from those she loved much too soon. She was a free spirit who was a joy to be around each and every day. Although life will never be the same without Faith here, the memories she leaves behind will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of all those within her reach.

Life in the new millennium was filled with countless changes that forever shaped the cultural fabric of our nation. Apple introduced the iPod, Microsoft released Windows XP, and we finally put a spacecraft on Mars. Popular films like Lord of the Rings and Pearl Harbor kept moviegoers on the edge of their seats while Destiny’s Child and Alicia Keys were among the artists who topped the charts. It was in 2001 that a young mother was holding on to hope that she would carry the baby within her to term. Her faith in the health of her unborn child was her constant companion throughout her entire pregnancy. It was because of this faith that the healthy baby girl she gave birth to on July 24th received her name - Faith. She was born at Lakeview Hospital in Paw Paw, Michigan, as the youngest of three children born to her mother, Joanie Branch, and she was raised in Paw Paw alongside her older sister, Suezan, and her older brother, Johnathan.

Right from the start Faith was a rambunctious girl who had the world by its tail. She was a bit of a tomboy who was happy climbing trees and catching bugs and frogs. Faith was fearless, except when it came to thunderstorms, and she always took life’s challenges one day at a time. Once she began going to school, summers became something she always looked forward to because she had more time for doing the things she loved like riding bikes and being near the water. In fact, the water was like a magnetic force that drew Faith in as she loved getting wet whether it was in a creek, lake, pond, or sprinkler.

There were so many things that made Faith unique and so easy to love. She was intelligent, and when it came to school she liked math and reading. Faith had just completed her fourth grade year at Bangor Behavioral Center and was looking forward to fifth grade. She was a young entrepreneur who was known to sell rocks out of the driveway. Faith was a joy to be around and was very loving and caring toward her cousins. She was kind, hard working, and thoughtful, too, and loved helping out around the house and in the flower garden as well. Faith also loved to laugh, and sharing that laughter with those around her was even better. She was an active young girl who always needed to be busy doing something. Additionally, Faith had an inquisitive mind and was always asking the question, “why?”

Throughout her life Faith had a mind of her own and certainly knew what she liked. She was a Justin Bieber fan and also liked Sponge Bob. With her free time at home Faith could often be found playing her video games. Some of her favorite foods included potato chips, TV dinners, sloppy joes, and spaghetti with plenty of sauce and parmesan cheese.

When reflecting on the life of Faith Daggitt we are reminded that each day is a gift to spend loving those around us. In her short time here she taught us so much about what it means to truly live, and that there is no greater gift we can give to others than our love. Even though her life on earth was cut short, Faith made a significant impact on the hearts of so many within her reach. She will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

Faith Daggitt died on July 3, 2012. Faith’s family includes her mother, Joanie Branch; father figure of her life, James Terry; sister, Suezan; brother, Johnathan; grandpa and grandma, John and Tracy Branch; adopted grandparents, Donna and Daryl Covell; and many other aunts, uncles, and cousins who cared for her. Faith was preceded in death by her Grandma Sandra, Grandma Dorothy Branch, and Grandpa Clarence Branch. Services will be held on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Thompson, 60900 M-40, Paw Paw ( 657-3870) Friends may visit from 12 noon until time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.