Grace Arden

Eubanks

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IN LOVING MEMORY

Grace Arden Eubanks

Sep 11 2001 - Jun 01 2018

Grace Arden Eubanks was born on one of the worst days in American history, September 11, 2001, at 9:11 p.m.  Grace ran to the arms of Jesus on June 1, 2018, at the tender age of sixteen. She is the treasured daughter of Russell and Mary (Decker) Eubanks of Plano, Texas. 

Grace’s short life was filled with pain and suffering from illness, but it was also overflowing with love and many moments of intense joy. Because of the periods of darkness, she truly appreciated her good times and she lived them to the fullest.  Her beauty radiated from within and poured out through those bright blue eyes.  She accomplished many things during her time here on earth.

In 2007, Grace was an ambassador for the Wipe Out Kids Cancer (WOKC) nonprofit organization and was the cover artist for their yearly Christmas card.  The Make-A-Wish Foundation was dear to her. Grace’s Wish was sponsored by Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor and NFL Hall of Fame inductee “Big Cat” Rayfield Wright, and she had the honor to meet him in person. After he placed his huge Super Bowl and Hall of Fame rings on her tiny five-year-old fingers, Grace hugged his neck and thanked him for her beautiful trip to the Florida theme parks and Give Kids the World. He sat with her as she showed him the photographs of her memories. Grace never forgot the kindness of her Wish, and she volunteered many times afterward. She appeared in a full-page advertisement for the 2007 “Bright Lights Big Wishes” yearly fundraiser, which was distributed as a special advertising section of the Dallas Business Journal. In 2008, she performed with other children in the annual yearly fundraiser called “Wish Around the Clock” and sold fundraising teddy bears throughout the evening. Not many could resist her sweet voice and face asking if they would like to make a purchase. In 2014, the St. Baldrick’s organization requested permission to interview and photograph Grace on behalf of Peter Doyle for his publication titled “101 Childhood Cancer Portraits:  Wisdom from the Journey.” For anyone interested, this book can be purchased on Amazon. Grace’s recorded interview can be found on YouTube by searching “childhood cancer portraits photo shoot interview with Grace.”  Grace relapsed shortly after the completion of the portrait session and interview.   

Grace was welcomed into the Plano Academic and Creative Education (PACE) program, beginning in kindergarten, which offers services to children with a demonstrated need for consistent, rigorous academic challenges. She was recognized at school many times for outstanding academic excellence and citizenship. She received multiple President’s Education Awards from the White House and Department of Education. 

The story of Grace’s life was not finished, and her book closed much too soon.  She fought like a lion until her last breath and never ceased making plans for her future, which was blindingly bright. She faced the devil with unbelievable courage and bravery, over and over again. 

Grace loved the outdoors and all creatures great and small. She loved adventure and sought it fearlessly with her arms open wide.  She loved mentoring younger children at camp. She loved driving her Polaris and building things with her dad. Together, they made detailed plans an engineer would envy and built an incredible coop for the chickens she nurtured so carefully.   

Grace’s wants were simple. She longed for braces and to always go to school on campus. She wanted to try cheerleading, volleyball, and 4-H. She wanted a part-time job so she could make her own money. She would occasionally seriously think of ways she could create and run a business; she just had to think of the right one. She dreamed of attending Texas A&M University to study large animal veterinary medicine so she could live and work in Australia. She wanted to fall in love and be married in the Thorncrown Chapel, located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She wanted her mother to babysit her children.

Grace is survived by her loving parents, Russell and Mary Eubanks of Plano, Texas; her beloved Nana and Papa, Dave and Deanna Nickell of Pottsboro, Texas; grandmother, Connie Eubanks of Norman, Oklahoma; aunt, Laura Allen and husband, Bruce of Kingwood, Texas; uncle, Ronald Decker and wife, Marilyn of Gatesville, Texas; aunt, Donna Cachero and husband, Phillip of Plano, Texas; aunt, Victoria Martin and husband, Brian of Rowlett, Texas; aunt, Kimberly Dennis of Addison, Texas; uncle, Bo Eubanks and wife, Cindy of Norman, Oklahoma; uncle, Earl Eubanks and wife, Rhonda of Ringling, Oklahoma; aunt, Audene Cook and husband, Ryan of Moore, Oklahoma; aunt, Alyssa Price and husband, Scott of Pottsboro, Texas; uncle, Brent Nickell and wife, Amanda of Des Moines, Iowa; uncle, David Nickell II and wife, Diane of Des Moines, Iowa; numerous cousins and a host of other loving family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandfather, James Patrick Eubanks; grandfather, Donald Decker; great-grandfather, Elton Eubanks; cousin, Andrew Eubanks; and cousin, Jennifer Allen.  Her grandmother, Ramona Decker of Gatesville, Texas, joined Grace in Heaven on June 4, 2018.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 11, 2018, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.

Flowers are gladly received. Anyone who would prefer to make a donation in Grace’s name is welcome to reach out to Give Kids the World (gktw.org) or CureSearch for Children’s Cancer (curesearch.org). 

 

 

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Memorials

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