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Dayton was a good student, always polite and respectful. He had a gentle spirit and inviting smile. Sad to say, he is gone so soon.

Stephanie endured a lot in life but with her trust in God and a lot of hard work she graduated from Hope Gardens. She and her three boys transitioned out of Hope Gardens less than three years ago. They were one of the first House2Home recipients. Their family photo from that day is the banner picture on our Deed and Truth homepage.

Dayton graduated from high school in 2020 during the Pandemic and was looking forward to going to junior college. Deed and Truth purchased him a laptop to help him with his school work. Dayton turned 20 this year, but sad to say, he is gone too soon.

At the age of 14, Dayton was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. It has been an up-and-down battle ever since. On July 27th his brother and best friend, Tre, found Dayton in his room unresponsive. He gave him CPR and called 911 immediately. Unfortunately, Dayton never regained consciousness.  His family is devastated, heart-broken and grieving his passing.

Stephanie called upon Betty and I to preside over Dayton’s Memorial. This coming Tuesday we will be speaking at Dayton’s memorial service. We will be looking into a mother’s eyes in the front row who is having to say goodbye to her precious son just 20 years after welcoming him into the world. God never designed us to bury our own children. Can there be a greater suffering than losing your own child at such a young age?

Please pray for Stephanie, and her other boys, Tre, Rashaun, and Preston as they mourn his passing into eternity all so soon. Stephanie was not prepared financially to bear the financial burden of a funeral. She is about $1,000 shy of the funds needed. Deed and Truth would like to cover that cost. If you would like to help us ease Stephanie’s burden by making a donation please donate today and reference… Dayton.

“To be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord.” 

2 Corinthians 5:8

Anyone who dies in Christ “is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace.”

Isaiah 57:1-2

Gone So Soon, that brings us such pain… Arriving in Glory so Soon, this is Dayton’s gain.

How difficult it is to navigate the emotions of both mourning our loss and rejoicing for his gain… at the same time.

11 thoughts on “Gone So Soon

  1. Thank you “deed and truth“ for all you have done for Stephanie, Dayton and his brothers. I remember when Dayton got his computer and how very happy he was. I remember when his mother threw him his graduation party and how beautiful it was. Thank you, once again for stepping in to help Fill the need And inviting us to participate.

  2. This is extremely sad news. We will pray for Stephanie and her boys. Praying for strength and comfort and the peace of Jesus to be with all of you Tuesday 🥲🙏🏻

  3. This is extremely sad news. We will pray for Stephanie and her boys. Praying for strength and comfort and the peace of Jesus to be with all of you Tuesday 🥲🙏🏻
    (First posted under random name)

  4. Such sad news! Praying for Dayton’s mom Stephanie and his two brothers as they grieve for him.
    Thank you “Truth and Deed” for loving this family.

  5. We are so sorry for the loss of Dayton. May the Lord show His deep compassion to his mom and brothers and give hope as you & Betty honor him and love on his family on Tuesday. Love, Dave & Blair

  6. We are saddened to hear about Dayton’s passing. Heartbreaking for a parent to go through a loss of a child. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her young sons.

    1. I am so very sorry for the loss of Dayton. It looked like he had so much ahead of him. It is a heart breaker for his mother, Stephanie and his brothers. My heart and prayers go out to them all. Sincerely, In Christ Jesus, Leslie Caldwell

  7. I am so very sorry for the loss of Dayton. It looked like he had so much ahead of him. It is a heart breaker for his mother, Stephanie and his brothers. My heart and prayers go out to them all. Sincerely, In Christ Jesus, Leslie Caldwell

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