On Monday night, Candace and Brandon lost their oldest daughter, Annabelle. My name is Kyle Petitt, and as a close friend of their family, I’m raising money to help carry some of the financial weight in the days ahead.

There are no words for what they are walking through right now. Family is flying in from out of state to be with them for Annabelle’s service this Saturday, 5/16, and the cost of last-minute flights, hotels, and lodging has landed on Candace and Brandon’s shoulders at the worst possible moment.

Funeral and memorial service expenses alone, totaling around $9,000.

That is what this fundraiser is for.

Every dollar will go directly to Candace and Brandon to help cover travel and lodging for family coming in for the service, and to ease the financial pressure so they can focus on grieving, being together, and caring for their other children.

If you knew Annabelle, you know what a beautiful soul she was. Candace often called her “my only child keeping me sane.” When Candace would go out of town, Annabelle would make slide decks for her siblings to lay out everyone’s responsibilities. It was such a perfect glimpse of who she was: thoughtful, steady, patient, and deeply loving.

If you didn’t know Annabelle, please know this: she was deeply loved. She was kind. She was a wonderful big sister. And her absence is already felt in every corner of this family’s life.

Anything you can give, whether it’s $5, $50, or simply sharing this page, will help this family breathe a little easier during the hardest week of their lives.

Thank you for loving Candace, Brandon, their children, and Annabelle with us.

Kyle