The Heart Remembers
On September 28, 1990 weighing in at a whopping 6 lbs., Shannon Michelle Stovall entered this world kicking and screaming. In making her first statement, she was not going to let her size hold her back. Always trying to keep up with her big brother, she began walking at the age of 10 months and took great pleasure in chasing, pestering and trying to out do him. Early on Shannon showed signs of independence and deep thinking and she loved to please people. She was a happy child. Her first love was her Daddy and as a tiny infant he would dance her to sleep. Soon she was dancing with her feet on top of his, then she learned the steps herself and he got the first dance before she left for her first teen dance. Having a September birthday, Shannon was older than most of the kids in her class and seemed to mature sooner than what we were ready to accept. She loved boys!! Shannon excelled in school and participated in swim team, basketball, cheerleading and in high school, the sport athletic training program. Shannon was certified as a lifeguard which was going to be her first job in the summer.
Shannon loved her family and friends. She had many close relationships and had a way of making everyone feel special. She was one that would reach out to the "new kid" to try and include them in activities and didn't worry about whether it was the "cool" thing to do or not. She had a quirky sense of humor, loved to laugh and to make others laugh even at her own expense. She had no regrets and held no grudges. Every night, even when she was upset with us, she would tells us goodnight with a hug, kiss and "I Love You."
Shannon had a strong faith and was involved in her church youth program. She enjoyed her Junior High mission trip and even there developed relationships with some of the client family members. She participated in local projects to help Katrina victims and was quick to offer help whenever needed. She looked forward to her Senior High mission trip.
On Friday, April 21, 2006, Shannon, a student at Klein High School had been at a school baseball game serving as a student athletic trainer where she would wrap wrists or ankles as necessary and she was certified to administer CPR. After the game as she waited for us to pick her up, she was hit by a car when an elderly driver went over a curb, lost control of his vehicle and veered towards the building where she stood. She was life-flighted to Memorial Herman Hospital and pronounced dead on April 22. Even through her death, Shannon continued to help others by being an organ donor.
We remember Shannon for her loving and giving heart and she never signed her name without also drawing a heart. Youth mission projects which happen through the proceeds of this fund and in her name is a way for us to keep a small part of her spirit alive.