Rhiannon Gladelle Wilburn
May 19, 1985 ~ August 30, 2014
Born in:
Austell, Georgia
Resided in:
Stone Mountain, Georgia
Rhiannon Gladelle Wilburn passed from her earthly life on August 30, 2014, following an extended illness.
Rhiannon was born on May 19, 1985 in Austell, Georgia, and lived her entire life in the greater Atlanta area. She was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Stone Mountain, GA (previously a member of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta) and was active in the “Friends of L’Arche Atlanta” community. Rhiannon was a 2007 graduate of Stone Mountain High School. She loved music, animated movies, the Muppets, Harry Potter, and many PBS programs. Although a lifelong struggle with polycystic kidney disease, liver disease, and a stroke at age 3 kept her confined to a wheelchair, her vibrant spirit, caring heart, enthusiasm for life, love of music, and many deep friendships kept her joyous and radiant. She especially loved to sing with her mother, and the two often performed at L’Arche Atlanta events.
Rhiannon is survived by her mother, Frances V. McColman, and stepfather, Carl McColman (both of Stone Mountain, GA); her biological father, Hawk Wilburn (of San Bernardino, CA); many extended family members, and countless friends.
A reception and vigil will take place at Wages & Sons Funeral Home, 1040 Main Street, Stone Mountain GA 30086, on Thursday, September 11, 2014, from 7 to 9 PM.
A funeral mass in celebration of Rhiannon’s life will take place on Friday, September 12, 2014 at 4 PM at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 600 Mountain View Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083. A reception will follow; everyone is invited. Committal of her ashes will occur at a later time.
Instead of flowers, the family requests that gifts in Rhiannon’s honor be made either to
L’Arche Atlanta
P.O. Box 2359
Decatur, GA 30031
or to
Corpus Christi Catholic Church
Attention: Capital Campaign
600 Mountain View Drive
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
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Unfortunately, we will be up in Sewanee during Rhiannon’s funeral, but our hearts and prayers will be with you both. Rhiannon was a shining light and we know you will miss her daily. Now she is “dancing with angels!”
I am in Perth Australia hence won’t be able to attend. God’s grace and peace to you and Fran and all who knew her during this sad and difficult time.
Your young woman graced your lives, as you did her’s. God asks no more. May His peace be with you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I came to know her through your posts, Carl, and your love for her shone through.
May the Angels guide her home; may Christ welcome her; may the Creator grant her rest, and rebirth in due time. As it was, as it is, as it will be; there will be a returning for her.
My heart is filled with sympathy for you, Carl and Fran, as you make peace with Rhiannon’s transition from our world. May her radiant spirit shine always in your hearts, and may she soar now, free of pain and sickness. I will never forget the depth of your dedication and love for her, so clearly showing the truly extraordinary people you both are. She was so blessed to have had you two as her family. I am so deeply sorry for your loss.
Earth has no sadness that Heaven cannot heal. Rebok, was one of
the sweetest and funniest little people I have had the pleasure of knowing. Heaven received another angel and she is smiling down on us. Keep her memory alive by loving everyone and smiling a lot. I will miss my friend however she is in a much better place. I love you all Fran and Carl, keep in touch. Belinda aka-Mrs. Davis. Rebok and I were peas and carrots:)
in all of my years I never met a more pure and beautiful soul then Rhiannon.
she lifts my spirit even now as she soars in God’s presence, borne up by the love of her family and friends.
I am sad yet grateful for such a blessing as she is in my heart. Travel well my belovedette soul sister. We shall meet again. I hope that you remember me. I will never forget you.
Fran and Carl…my heart is with you. Thank you for sharing such a powerful yet gentle life with me…with us…i love you.
G
She was a wonderful Light to be around and we’re so happy to have known her over these last 13 years. Now her Light is everywhere – may her Path be full of star shine She was loved deeply and you gave her a beautiful inclusive and rich experience.
Warm hugs
I know that there is no available description that adequately tells the grief of the loss of ones child.
I also know that God IS GOOD – ALL the time, and that He has promised that there shall be a reunion in heaven for all of His children.
My prayers are for you. May God bless, comfort and heal you!
Donna C. keeps me up to date with people I have known and loved at New Leaf, and so I learned of your loss from her. My heart is saddened for you both, Carl and Fran, but I am rejoicing with heaven at Rhiannon’s arrival there – whole and pain free and surrounded by so much love and light. She will always shine in your hearts just as she has always shone in your eyes when you were with her and when you spoke of her to others. May God give you comfort and peace.
We’re going to miss Rhiannon – it was such a joy knowing her. She was in many ways a builder of the Friends of L’Arche Atlanta community, creating community with her joy, her genuine interest in others, and her beautiful song. Thanks be to God for her beautiful life.
Curt & Anne-Christine
John and I are thinking of you and sending wishes and prayers for Rhiannon and all of you. God Bless, Peace and Joy. Paddy Kennington
Praying for all in this time of sadness.
Although I did know Rhiannon personally, I kept up with her plight through her Aunt Joanne and through Fran’s posts on Facebook. What a beautiful spirit she was and she brought such joy and love to those who knew her. She had such courage and strength in dealing with her illnesses. I feel privileged that her story was shared with me.
Fran and Carl, your lives are forever blessed to have loved and cared for such an angel. My heart hurts for your sorrow, but rejoices in knowing she is at peace in heaven. God bless you both.
I am praying for your daughter and for you both. May God bring you to peace as you walk this path of grief. Blessings!
We are so sad to hear about Rhianna . She was a beautiful young lady with a contagious smile and laugh. We always enjoyed the visits with her and I will always remember her singing and clapping at mom’s 90th birthday party. She was full of life and joy! We should all strive to be like her!
We are praying for you during this difficult time.Joel and I will try to comeThursday night. Mom sends her love and prayers. We love you all !
Our thoughts and prayers are with you both for your loss. Fran, I worked right out of high school with your mother at the City Hall here in Forsyth, and I know that Ms. Gladelle was waiting with open arms for that precious granddaughter to arrive in her heavenly home! I, along with a number of the “girls” from the class of ’66, followed Rhiannon through Joanne’s updates. What a loving, brave, happy young women she appeared to be.
Dear Fran and Carl,
We are deeply moved by your words about beautiful Rhiannon and her death, and we want you to know that we are with you in prayer and meditation about God’s great love and forgiveness that we see in her.
Bill and Mary Moon
I’ve written my thoughts in a private email; just wanted to write here how sweetly I remember Rhiannon’s bright eyes, friendly smile and especially her laugh, which she did often!
Our favorite memory of your family was you, Fran, dancing with Rhiannon in her wheelchair with Carl looking on with so much love on his face. We send you our love as you celebrate the life of such a precious young lady.
My deepest heart felt sympathy is with the family. I will always remember that little laugh Rhiannon had with me at school , and she’ll always say ” Oh Ms. Hilton ” May the good Lord keep His loving arms around you all in a time like this and always. God bless all.
I never had the opportunity to meet Rhiannon, but I was privileged to hear of her journey. Carl and Fran – you have been and are in my prayers. You have been an example of unselfish love to us all and have indeed run the race exceedingly well! May you now have the kind of Shalom that only God can give. Ann
Barry and I offer our deepest sympathies. I always will have happy memories of your family and our days together at St. Bartholomew’s. I remember Rhiannon’s delight at “someone like her” because of the wheelchair. I was blessed and happy to share that experience. Since we have shared parts of our faith journeys together, I offer a favorite prayer.
Father of all, we pray to you for those we love, but see no longer, including your servant Rhiannon. Grant them your peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and, in your loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the good purpose of your perfect will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I offer sympathy and support from Rhiannon’s family here at ResCare. We as a team are praying for the strength of her family during this time of bereavement. I have received several calls, emails, and kind words from those at ResCare who were familiar with Rhiannon and would like to pass those along to her family. If there is anything that we can do please do not hesitate to contact us. Toriano Daniel, Program Manager
On Behalf of the AAASP Athletes and Staff,
We feel as if the loss is one of our own family when we must say goodbye to another of our alumni. Rhiannon was a cheerleader for the DeKalb Adapted Sports teams for years – the Red Hot Rollers and the Silver Streaks. R.I.P Rhiannon. We were blessed to know you, play with you, laugh with you over your all too short lifetime.
American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, Inc.
http://www.aaasp.org