"Faith for the Miracle" Child Passes Away

Thomas Smith's journey here on Earth lasted a little less than a year, but the Patrick County infant touched countless hearts along his short path of life, leaving a lasting mark on the lives of many people who knew and loved him. Born with a rare disease that he fought courageously throughout his abbreviated life, Thomas died Friday at Brenner's Children's Hospital in Winston-Salem, just one day shy of his first birthday.

Infant Thomas Smith was the son of Anthony Smith and Dawn Barnard of Meadows of Dan. His grandparents are Leslie and Laura Barnard and Gloria Smith and King David Smith. Baby Thomas would have been one year old Saturday, May 31st.

Thomas was born with Hirschsprungs Disease, a rare disorder of the digestive system. During his short life, he underwent multiple surgeries and was to have a small bowel transplant in Cincinnati, OH, when he was a little older. God, however, had an immediate need for Thomas in Heaven and called him home the day before he would have been one year old.

Thomas was one of the first three children served by the humanitarian organization "Faith for the Miracle," a non-profit Christian ministry that provides support to children in our community with cancer or rare diseases. Tammy Bowman, founder of the organization, recalled on the anniversary his birth, "he was always 'baby Thomas', the youngest child in our ministry."

Noting that she never saw Thomas "fuss or cry", Mrs. Bowman said, "he was so full of joy." "When he smiled you immediately fell in love with him." Mrs. Bowman added, "he was such a little flirt. He would lay his head sideways and smile at you with that shy little look. He just got you. He sucked you right in," added Mrs. Bowman. When she thinks of Thomas and the other children served by her ministry, Mrs. Bowman said she thinks of "butterflies." Like butterflies, "they're beautiful, radiant, and colorful. They're free" and can't be bound to earth, she concluded. The beautiful baby butterfly that was Thomas Smith is now soaring in the Heavenly realm.

The funeral of infant Thomas Smith will be conducted Tuesday, June 3rd, at 12 noon at Cox-Needham Funeral Home in Pilot Mountain, NC. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday night from 7:00 to 9:00. Please ask God to comfort and strengthen Thomas' loving family.

You prayers are also requested for the child who inspired Tammy and her husband Brad Bowman to found "Faith for the Miracle," Brandon Dillon, the 7-year-old boy who has served as a great example of courage and determination during his valiant fight against leukemia. Brandon, who was the first child served by "Faith for the Miracle", is now under the care of Hospice of Patrick County as he fights for his life. His disease has spread to the point that the doctors determined that a planned bone marrow transplant is no longer an option in prolonging his life.

Brandon is in much pain as his caregivers try to keep him as comfortable as possible while helping him to do live out some of his lifelong dreams. On Saturday, Brandon was driven to Mecklenberg, VA, to see someone special that he had asked to meet. Recently, Brandon toured the skies over Mt. Airy, NC, in the Air Care helicopter and had a wonderful day as the special guest of members of Surry County area firefighting units. Brandon was delighted to catch a huge fish during a recent fishing trip. Much to my honor, Thomas sang Alan Jackson's "Small Town Southern Man" (accompanied by Sue Nester on guitar) during an unexpected but much welcomed visit to WHEO's "Community Conversation" recently. I will always remember that he sat in my lap in front of the control room microphone that wonderful day.

For more information on "Faith for the Miracle" or to become a volunteer of this child's Christian ministry, call Tammy Bowman at 276-694-3886.

Obviously, these children (and a third "Faith for the Miracle" child Samantha Mota) have deeply touched my heart. I have been blessed to know and love them. Please pray for Brandon and Samantha and their families. In their time of bereavement, please be expecially prayerful for the family of infant Thomas Smith, God rest his precious little soul.

Keep the faith for God's miracles.

Hope and Love :O),
Richard