Supporting Bryan Stevens' Bride and Newborn

Donation protected

My name is Anthony Jimmie. My baby cousin, Bryan, recently lost his battle with cancer after courageously fighting for almost 2 years. They called him FM for "Fat Man" because he was built like a brick house, but his personality was even larger. His smile could light up a room. Even as he lay in the hospital dying, he found a way to bust his family's chops and make people laugh.

I'm creating this GoFundMe because, unfortunately, Bryan didn't have health or life insurance and couldn't get any after his diagnosis.

Bryan was a mere 26 years old and newly wed to his lovely wife, Marysa, as of June 11, 2021. Bryan and Marysa celebrated the birth of their beautiful baby boy this past April. Though his son will unfortunately never get to know his father physically, our family is dedicated to making sure his son knows EXACTLY the kind of great man his father was.

As the leading provider to his family, and due to this country's broken systems for disability (They made him wait weeks/months and then still gave him less than what he was entitled..), his family is left with little to no money. We'll be holding a memorial service, but there aren't even funds for a proper funeral/burial/ceremony, let alone anything to support his family. They have had to resort to selling his tools and items that should otherwise be keepsakes and heirlooms for his child just to make ends meet.

Bryan has an incredible family that supported him throughout his life, especially during his battle with this terrible disease that takes so many from us far too often and far too young.

Bryan's life seemed to be coming together with his new marriage and newborn child; he'd been excelling at his job as a mechanic for Kia (he dreamed of being a mechanic, and dammit, he made it happen.) He also dreamed of being a loving husband and father, and he achieved that as well. The kid didn't have any "quit" in him; if he wanted something, he made it happen. He didn't have an ounce of "quit" in him, even in the end.

He was a devoted metalhead, often attending concerts with his family and friends, especially if Metallica or Five Finger Death Punch were in town. Bryan dedicated himself to his wife, child, and furbaby "Tank." Voted the class clown in high school, Bryan had a penchant for making sure people were happy, comfortable, and laughing whenever possible.

However, to put it simply and bluntly, there's nothing for his wife and baby. We aren't a wealthy family, and cancer came on so strong and quick that there wasn't time to prepare financially. There's going to be a silent auction and some other fundraising efforts, but his family quite literally doesn't know where the next rent check will be coming from, let alone the price of diapers and formula for his child, utility bills, food for his wife and dog, all the things we take for granted.

In a true "it takes a village" fashion, we're asking the community to come together to help this family. Losing someone at any age is never easy, but at 26, he and his family had their whole lives in front of them. Having to mourn the loss of your husband and of your father is hard enough... not knowing how you'll keep the lights and heat on (as winter approaches in the mountains of West Virginia) is just cruel icing on the cake.

We ask that you kindly donate as EVERY DIME of this fundraiser will go to Marysa (his wife) and Lawson (his son). Whether it's a dollar or a hundred, everything helps. And we understand these are challenging times for everyone. So if you can't donate, if you could at least share this link, share this story, share his memory... it would mean more than you could ever imagine.

There's talk of a celebration of life later this month, and I'll update this page with details as I get them, but honestly, not even sure how feasible that is with the financial situation being what it is.