Shelby Diane Miley of Eureka Springs, Ark., was born October 10, 2003 in Gulfport, Miss., to John and Jennifer Lopardo. She departed this life Tuesday, May 24, 2016 in Eureka Springs at the young age of 12 years old.
Shelby had the biggest, most tender heart of anyone we knew. She loved beyond measure and stood up for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves. Shelby’s little life was not easy from the beginning, being born six weeks early, and struggling to breathe she spent nine days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Shelby excelled through life until just after her 7th birthday when she was diagnosed with a lifetime of finger pricks and insulin shots. She took it all in stride and smiled, yet it took a great toll. It made her different, when all she ever wanted was to fit in, yet she was born to stand out.
Shelby left many broken hearts when she left this life to be with her family in heaven; her mommy and daddy, Jennifer and John Lopardo; her older brother and sister, Dyllan and Destiny Miley of Eureka Springs, Ark.; her Great Memaw Syble Williams of Gulfport, Miss.; grandparents, Mike and Cindie Lopardo of Joplin, Mo.; Papa Joe Necaise of Kiln, Miss.; Uncle Dennis and Aunt Angelia Cruthirds of Gulfport, Miss.; Great Aunt Teresa Williams of Gulfport, Miss.; many great aunts and uncles, cousins, adopted family, friends, teachers and the many others who only met her briefly, but remember her beautiful smile.
Shelby had many family members to greet her at heavens gates, “Papa” Ronnie Walter Cruthirds, Sr., and “Meme” Sherry Diane Cruthirds Necaise, to name a few of the many generations before her.
Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., Saturday, May 28, 2016 with funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. at First Christian Church, 763 Passion Play Road, Eureka Springs, Ark., with Chaplin Gary Martin officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service.
Memorial donations may be made to the Shelby Miley Memorial Fund at any Cornerstone Bank location or at her GoFundme.com Shelby (Cruthirds) Miley account. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com. © Nelson Funeral Service, Inc. 2016