Rana Elyse Mashburn, 17, of Dalton, Georgia, died on Thursday, October 22, 2015, at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, OH, from Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), an auto immune disease in which a person’s immune system will attack its own tissues and organs.
Rana was a brave and faithful warrior for Jesus Christ, and I’m honored He found favor in healing her of this awful disease. She fought a courageous fight from day one and she never once stopped thinking of everyone else. She participated in several research studies and procedures in hopes others would be successful in like battles. Rana witnessed many times about her love of God and her salvation. She spoke and wrote more than once of talking to God and Randy, and I know she did. I believe she flew swiftly with wings to be with them in God’s paradise.I am thankful she is in Heaven, and I praise God for calling her to an eternal life without sickness or sorrow. If anyone should not believe in God, remember Rana’s battle, because she lived victoriously and loved unconditionally. She lived #RanaStrong! Celebrate her with love and happiness because that’s what she would want. My heart breaks, but my soul sings, “How Great Thou Art!” God is faithful and He has blessed me beyond what I deserve. Rana was a gift I treasured, and I will love her forever! I thank every doctor, nurse, and other along this journey. I will never forget the love you had for Rana and my family. Also, thank you to every Prayer Warrior, who petitioned God on Rana’s behalf. He heard our cries and He rewarded her with divine healing!Please keep us in your prayers as we celebrate her life with thanksgiving in the days to come. My baby won her race, and she’s HOME! She is now forever #RanaStrong.
Rana was a senior at Southeast High School and was crowned 2015 Homecoming Queen. She participated in many activities, including Southeast Whitfield Raider Ambassadors, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Pep Club, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Varsity Volleyball, Basketball, and Track. She was a member of Crosspointe Christian Centre.
Rana was born December 3, 1997 in Chattanooga; and was preceded in death by her father, Randy Mashburn; grandparents, Bobby Mashburn, Mary Ellis Williams and Bob Williams; great-grandparents, George and Kathleen Mashburn, Harley and Beatrice Davis, Exie and Oscar Cagle and Oscar and Martha Ellis; great-great-grandmother, Lou Belle Baker; uncles, Robert “Junior” Williams, Jerry Fielden and Bruce Mashburn.
She is survived by her mother and best friend, Kathy Mashburn; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jennifer and Andrew Hambright and Lindsey and Bradley Pruitt; nieces and nephews, Katie, Maddy, Annie and Griffin Hambright, Archer and Charlie Pruitt; grandmother, Ann Mashburn; aunts and uncles, Mary and Tom Coker, Elizabeth Fielden, Melinda Williams and Mondy Harmon, Karen and Frank England, Donna and Brian Mashburn; special friends, Lee Parsons, Zach Green, Coach Michael Durham, Coach Amanda Ramfjord, Debby Barto, Leigh Ann Noll, Coach Bruna Langner and the many caregivers at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga, and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati.
Services to celebrate the life of Miss Rana Elyse Mashburn will be held Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 4:30 p.m. at Cross Pointe Christian Center, (2681 Underwood Street, Dalton, GA) with Reverend Stan Lester and Reverend John Paul Burdashaw officiating. She will be laid to rest beside her beloved father at United Memorial Gardens with Gabriel Shipman, Tyler Brown, Ty Pendley, Noah Ramsey, Chase Jenkins and Shaw Scott serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be, Rebekah Mozingo, Shelbi Bryant, Angie Purkey, Tori Brock, Annisa Sosebee, Yesenia Salaises, Sydney Covington, Emily Beck, Marylee Johns and Lily Johnson, the Southeast High School Varsity Girls Volleyball Team, Varsity Girls Basketball Team, Track Team and the Dalton State College Volleyball Team.
The family will receive friends at the Crosspointe Christian Centre, 2681 Underwood Street, Dalton, GA, from 5-9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Matthew and Andrew Akin Foundation, 11503 St. Charles Rock Rd., Bridgeton, MO, 63044 to help in the fight against HLH.
Ponders Melrose Chapel, Dalton, has charge of the arrangements.