15-Year-Old Ceaira Walker Passes Away from Brain Cancer

Recently I received word of the death of 15-year old Ceaira Walker, from my old hometown of Knob Noster.   While I never had the chance to know her personally, she definitely caught the attention of many in recent months, and I do know many from Knob who were profoundly impacted by her life and her never give up spirit.  

A few months ago, I was watching television, when a story flashed up on the screen of Walker, who was going to receive a prom in the eighth grade. I have to admit, I stuck around for the whole newscast to see what this story was about.  15-year-old Ceaira Walker, had been living with Glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, for about two years. News came that it had progressed, and it had got to the point where chemo treatments were not doing any good.

If I were 15 years old, I don't know how I would react to news like this, let alone at my age today.  However, the one thing I know about Knob Noster, they rally around friends and family who are going through bad situations.  She received the prom she was hoping for and even got to have an early "sweet 16" party in Kansas City about a month ago.

Her story and life touched many with her never-give-up attitude, and I'm sure the message will still continue through her friends and family to live life to the fullest. From everything I have read and everything I have heard, she certainly accomplished that.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25, at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg.  Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 26, at the Knob Noster Middle School, with the Rev. Richard Ricard officiating.  Interment will follow at Knob Noster Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Ceaira Jean Walker Memorial Fund, with checks made payable to Shantell Swearengin.  They can be left in care of the funeral home in Warrensburg.