Makayla Ann Brandyberry, 17, was born March 2, 2006, in Lima Ohio, and passed October 29, 2023. Makayla went home to the Lord at the end of her three-year battle with Osteosarcoma.
Makayla was the daughter of Danielle Marie Brandyberry and Tyler Keith Brandyberry. One of four children, Makayla is survived by an older sister Peytan, an older brother Braden, and a younger sister Brianna, who was also her best friend: grandparents, Robert and Amy Tucker, Mike and Angel Shaffner, Florence Oakes, and Paul and Kathy Jenkins; great grandparents, Jerry and Peg Widener, and Dick and Kaye Burchett; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Makayla was a senior at Riverside High School in DeGraff, Ohio. She was a varsity cheerleader, a member of Business Professionals of America, and an excellent student. On top of her academics and extracurricular activities, Makayla also enjoyed bringing together children who also had childhood cancer. She believed in creating a supportive community for children with similar illnesses, so they could feel understood, and not alone. She was a bold advocate for childhood cancer, especially Osteosarcoma. Makayla had a great impact on her school, her community, everyone she knew, and anyone she encountered.
Makayla will be remembered for her kindness, her humor, and her honesty. She was a beautiful young lady, inside and out. Most importantly, Makayla will leave behind a legacy of love and faith. Her strength came from the Lord, and she was loud and proud about that. In the end, Makayla passed surrounded by beloved family and friends. Makayla will be forever loved and missed.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 5, at Riverside High School, 2096 County Road 24 S. in DeGraff, where Pastor Nate Wilcoxon will officiate a funeral service at 4 p.m. A dinner will be served in the school auditeria following the service. Friends will have an opportunity to share a brief story during the service if they so desire.
Memorial contributions may be made, in Makayla’s memory, to the Brandyberry Family in care of Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, 210 W. Hayes Street, P.O. Box 368, DeGraff, Ohio 43318.
Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, DeGraff, is honored to serve the Brandyberry family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.
