Amena (Davis) Stiles Memorial Fund

I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.  They continue to participate in every act, thought, and decision we make.  Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.
We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. ~Leo Buscglia~

On Monday, June 20th, our dear Amena peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, lost her fight with cancer.  I say that she lost her fight because if you truly knew Amena as many of us did you know she was one of the strongest fighters we've ever met.  Her life was filled with more challenges and tragedies than one person should ever have to face.  Now, if you did not have visibility into her life you would have never known that because Amena wasn't about being a victim or underdog to any circumstance she faced.  If you knew her you know she would always take a deep breath and say, "OK, OK, We got this" and off she went.  If it wasn't about someone else she didn't make much time for it.  See Amena was always about others.  She was one of the most selfless, loving, and giving people any of us has ever met.  While she was unbelievably smart she functioned from her heart first.  I'm convinced there is no one she knew that was not impacted by who she was.  Her smile could literally change the temperature of any situation.  There isn't a smile like it to be found.  It is and will always be our favorite.  Her laugh was an instantaneous injection of euphoric joy. We could (and did at times) laugh with her for hours.  Her eyes always said far more that her mouth ever could.  You immediately knew what was going on and  what was coming by how she looked at you. 
Amena always left you better than she found you.  Always.  I can't even count the times I saw her pull someone aside to love, encourage or set them straight.  She was such a rare unique gift to us all.  While we will miss her on this earth we can all agree that she will never, ever, be gone.  We are all better people for knowing her and because of that lives through us all.  What a beautiful parting gift she left each of us with. 

How could we ever say Thank You enough?  Fortunately, that answer isn't as difficult as you think.  we are able to thank her by carrying on her remarkable example and legacy as well as committing to take care of anything she had to leave behind.  The three most important of those are Ashley, Anthony and, six year old T.J.
While we commit to be their village we have set up this GoFundMe account to hopefully overwhelmingly  meet their financial burden and needs.  Each of these beautiful kids carry the strengths of their mother in a very unique way.  Her legacy shines through who she raised them to be.  She did an outstanding job raising them while balancing and caring for all of us.  Amazing.  We hope that you will be a part of taking care of them the way Amena took care of us.  
Thank you SO much for taking the time to read this.  we are so grateful to you for your beautiful gift to this family!  

Beautifully written by our friend,  and Amena's dear friend   ~ Billly Carroll~