Taylor Marie Adkins, 10, peacefully passed from the loving arms of her parents and family into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father on Friday, April 30, 2004 .  

Taylor was born November 3, 1993 . She was raised in Hampton and attended Gloria Dei Lutheran School where she was an Honor Roll student. In December 2002, Taylor 's life was forever changed by a brain tumor. But this is when it seems, her purpose and mission in this life began. Taylor was a warrior against cancer in her sixteen month battle.  Taylor was a gift from God and through her; God showed us what life is all about. Although short in years, her life was lived to its fullest. She traveled to many great places and saw many wonderful things. She had an appreciation for things usually only capable of someone much older and wiser.  All of our lives have been changed by Taylor . Her ability to laugh and make others laugh, her strong determination to live and love and her pure heart affected us so profoundly.  Taylor will be greatly missed but her spirit and love will stay with us forever.

                Taylor's family includes her parents, Amy and John Thorstad of Hampton; and Keith and Paula Adkins of Carrollton; her step-brother, Devan Thorstad of Clarksville, IN; her grandparents, William and Jean Lawrence of Hampton; Reverend John and Retha Adkins of Paris, TN.; Alyce Thorstad of Brainerd, MN; and Hubert and Jean Blevins of Cripple Creek, VA; her Great-Grandfather, Ray F. Lawrence of Dalton, IL; her aunts and uncles, Paul and April Lawrence of Hampton, Karen Heard of Newport News, Christy and Matt Krpicak of Hampton, Randy and Gail Adkins of Cincinnati, OH; Jodi Haganman of Indianapolis, IN; Becky and Roger Wohlford, of Speedwell, VA; Vicki and Lewis Anderson of Woolwine, VA; and Sam Blevins of Easton, MD; her cousins, Adeline and Katherine Jean Lawrence, Trevor and Tabitha Krpicak, Kati Adkins, Tara Thorstad, Andrew and Evan Haganman, Christy and Sarah Wohlford, Matthew and Markus Harris and Luke Blevins.

                Taylor 's family would like to thank all of the people who helped care for her. There are too many to name but they include the wonderful doctors, nurses and staff at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk , the Children's National Medical Center in Washington D.C. , the National Institute of Health in Bethesda , MD , the Brain Tumor Center at Duke University in Raleigh , NC ; and EdMarc Hospice for Children in Chesapeake .

                Donations may be made to EdMarc Hospice for Children, Ronald McDonald House - Norfolk  Ronald McDonald House - DC or The Make-A-Wish Foundationof Eastern Virginia. These organizations are full of the most amazing people whose lives are dedicated to helping children and families when an illness occurs.

                Taylor has a website that was started by one of her teachers, Mrs. Mary Capone. Through this website, her family has received the most wonderful outpouring of love, prayers and support. Please visit it at www.amiraclefortaylor.com to share your support.

            A celebration of life service will be conducted 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2004 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church by Pastor L. Douglas Stowe with burial to follow at Peninsula Memorial Park .  The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home.

            Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 North Armistead Avenue , Hampton .  

Song: I Will Remember You

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