Kim Daniels and her children Kaylynn and Nathan are adjusting to a new normal — life without Kim’s son Zachary Stephens, and Kaylynn’s challenges of being a first-time parent to her baby girl Kailey.
It’s the circle of life — but it’s not the way Daniels wanted it to go.
Zachary, 17, died on Oct. 17, 2017, in a car accident on McComb-Holmesville Road, where he and his brother Nathan were passengers in a car.
Daniels said Zachary died due to injuries he sustained during the accident.
Felder United Methodist Church will honor Zachary with the “Fill Your Heart and Run for 65 Roses” Southwest Mississippi Benefit for Cystic Fibrosis 5K run Saturday at Felder’s Campground.
In 2017, Daniels’ daughter Kaylynn, who also has cystic fibrosis, was the honoree for the run.
“It’s pretty rough burying your child,” she said. “You’re not suppose to bury your child. That’s not the way the circle of life goes.”
She said she was honored that Felder United Methodist Church wanted to honor her son’s memory.
Daniels said her son had an outgoing personality and never met a stranger.
Zachary, a senior at North Pike, would have graduated in May.
“He had a good personality and would crack you up from his sense of humor,” Daniels said.
“He loved helping others. He was strong-willed, had a loving heart and a caring nature.”
Daniels, who called Zach her “right-hand man,” said he was a leader in the family, a cystic fibrosis fighter, hardworking and a great friend to those who gave him a chance.
“He had a curious nature, funny wit and warm brown eyes that questioned everything,” Daniels said.
“He was excited about becoming an uncle,” his sister Kaylynn added.
Daniels said Kaylynn gave birth to her daughter, Kailey Noel Alexander, on Jan. 31, three months after Zachary’s death.
“She named her daughter after her best friend who died from cystic fibrosis,” she said.
Daniels said that Zach was excited about attending college in the fall.
“He wanted to do nursing and welding. He’d done welding for two years at North Pike,” she said.
Daniels said it’s been hard, but with the help of her children and her church family, she’s been able to find the strength to keep going.
“I have an awesome church family, great support system with family and friends,” she said. “Kaylynn and Nathan have been right there with me.”
She said her children have been her shoulder to cry on when she needed, or when she just wanted to scream.
“It’s been a very hard adjustment. But the good Lord and the Bible study I was in at the time of Zach’s death helps me a lot. I have a pretty awesome preacher and his wife that have been there.”
Daniels and her family attends East Union Baptist Church in Magnolia, where the Rev. Brandon Lynch is the pastor.
She said the Lynch family has helped her tremendously throughout the adjustment.
“Zach touched every life that he came into contact with,” she said, adding that her son may not physically be here but his memory lives on.
The benefit at 1061 Campground Circle, Summit, includes a 5K walk/run at 8 a.m. and one-mile run at 9. Register at Active.com or email tara@henningtonchiro.com.
• Fill Your Heart and Run for 65 Roses Southwest Mississippi Benefit for Cystic Fibrosis is Saturday Felder United Methodist Church, 1061 Campground Circle, Summit, with 5K walk/run at 8 a.m. and one-mile run at 9. Register online at Active.com or contact Tara Hennington at tara@henningtonchiro.com
