A Meyer Center Angel

I have been working at The Meyer Center for Special Children for almost 5 years. This is a school for pre-school aged children with varying abilities. Since I've been there, I have not been a part of a child's life that was cut short (while still at our school) because of their disability. We have had several children who have passed, once they had left our school. Several of those children were severely medically fragile. I didn't think of Tyler as being that way. I have been with this little boy everyday since his first day at my school. He has left an imprint on my life, that will be with me forever. My heart has felt sadness and joy at his loss. The sadness for his mother, what I will miss in not seeing him and for the many people who will miss him. I've also felt joy for knowing that he will not suffer anymore and because GOD cast upon me a supernatural peace at the moment of his passing. Tyler WILL still be with me and everyone who loved him. But not in the way we've always known. I share this with you to ask you to lift this little boy and his family up in prayer. His family was not only his immediate loved ones, but our entire staff, students and families at our school. I also share this with you to remind you to always remember GOD is with us through everything we experience. Look around you right now. Thank GOD for your blessings. I thank you GOD for this little Meyer Center Angel.

Tyler Scott Mitchell, 4, of Simpsonville, passed away on Tuesday, January 15, 2008, at the Medical University of South Carolina.Tyler was born in Greenville on September 8, 2003. He attended The Meyer Center for Special Children.

Surviving are his mother, Kristin Mitchell; his father, Jeremy Mitchell; his maternal grandparents, Michael and Nancy Bice of Greer, and John and Gail Kennedy of Simpsonville; his maternal great-grandmothers, Dorothy B. Jones of Taylors and Cherrie Crocker of Spartanburg; his paternal grandparents, Philip and Dori Valentine of N. Canton, Ohio; his paternal great-grandparents, Howard and Peggy Hardesty of Canton, Ohio, and Ervin Valentine of Canton, Ohio; his aunts and uncles, Nicole Ritchardson, Rebekah and Steve Robertson, John William Kennedy, Shelby Kennedy, and Jeffrey Kennedy; and many other loving family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 18, 2008, at 3 p.m. at Brushy Creek Baptist Church, with Dr. Ralph Carter officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.The family will receive friends on Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. at the church.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the Greenville Children's Hospital, the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Morales and the staff of GHS Pediatric Neurology, Dr. Belvin and the staff of the Children's Medical Center, Dr. Malpass and the staff of GHS Pediatric Cardiology, and The Meyer Center for Special Children.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Tyler's memory to the Greenville Children's Hospital, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, 701 Grove Road, Greenville, SC 29601.The Mackey Mortuary, Century Drive.

Published in The Greenville News: 01-17-2008