MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - The parents of a three-year-old Shelby County girl have decided to donate her organs after she lost her battle from nearly drowning in a pool Sunday afternoon.
Hundreds of family, friends, even strangers celebrated the life of Ava Grace Hart outside Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis in a prayer vigil Tuesday afternoon.
In the prayer circle, her mother, with tears rolling down her face, looked up and said, "Ava was an angel and now she can look down on us."
It's the reality no mother ever wants to face. "She would want us to be happy," she continued, "and she's going to take care of other little kids with her organs."
The decision to donate her organs was made just hours before the scheduled prayer vigil for Ava Grace.
Her uncle and family spokesperson, Eric Hart, says, "Since the day she was born she's brought tremendous joy to every person she's ever been in contact with."
Hart won't talk about the circumstances of her drowning in Collierville on Sunday, he says it's irrelevant. All that matters is the young life that was taken too soon and the legacy he hopes she leaves behind. "We'll never stop carrying on Ava's mission," Hart says, "That's bringing love to the rest of the world, we'll find ways to do that."
Her father holds precious memories like her teddy bear in his pocket. Her mother can't hide the grief. However, this group is bonded together hoping these organs are just the first step to making this young life become someone else's miracle.
Hart prayed in the crowd, "Children will be saved, families will be blessed and they'll cry out and thank God for answering their prayers with tissues and organs that Ava will provide."
Another toddler suffered a near drowning Tuesday afternoon. Laylah Lykens of Southaven was airlifted to Le Bonheur, her condition is unknown.
