Joanna Henleigh Gilmer

RANDLEMAN — The world became a brighter place with the birth of Joanna Henleigh Gilmer on July 31, 2018. Henleigh was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on March 7, 2022, after a 2-year battle with medulloblastoma brain cancer.

She brought much light, joy and love to her family and many others in her short time here. Henleigh loved her mom and dad, brothers, grandparents and many friends. She loved kitty cats, playing in her kitchen, swinging outside on her swing, playing in her playhouse, her pallo (pillow) and IP (ipad).

She loved to play dressup with her high heel shoes and princess dresses, showing the world her beauty and personality, inside and out. She loved to go bye-bye, riding in the car.

She won the hearts of everyone around her, laughing and continuing to bring joy throughout her illness, while continuing to be the boss of everyone.  

Henleigh is survived by her parents, Heather and Cholly, who cared for and loved her deeply; brothers Jackson and Jameson of the home; brother Jamarius; Mawmaw Debbie and Pawpaw Randy; Papa John; and Poppop Jimmy.

She was preceded in death by her grandmother Joanna (JoJo).

The family wants to thank the staff of Brenner’s Children Hospital (Winston-Salem), Levine Children Hospital (Charlotte), Emory Proton Center (Atlanta) and Hospice of Asheboro.

A celebration of life service will be held Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Asheboro, with Rev. Lynda Ferguson and Rev. Edward Ramsey officiating.  Special musical guest will be Molly Oldham. The service will be live- streamed at www.fumcasheboro.org.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either or both:
— “Henleigh — The Cure Starts Now” at p2p.the curestartsnow.org, 10280 Chester Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215.
— The Henleigh Gilmer Memorial Fund, First UMC, 224 N. Fayetteville Street, Asheboro, NC 27203.  

Condolences may be made online at www.ridgefuneralhome.com.