Obituary of Weston McKinley Keeton

Kingsport - Weston McKinley Keeton was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on March 23, 2014 following a lifelong battle with his heart and lungs. His final days were spent at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) surrounded by his family, and his excellent team of physicians, experts, and caregivers. Weston was born on September 3, 2006. Shortly after his birth, he was diagnosed with several congenital heart defects. He had several surgeries during his first year of life, Weston returned to CHOP in June 2011, at four years old, where he would remain while he was listed for a heart and double lung transplant. Weston fought for his health fiercely during those years at CHOP while he waited for the blessing of a new heart and lungs. He was always a "character" who charmed his way into the hearts of everyone he met. A spunky and rambunctious typical little boy, he loved superheroes, being outside, playing in grass and mud, feeling sunshine, and catching bugs and critters. He insisted on spicy foods and loved Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Weston loved to play practical jokes, like replacing the cream in an Oreo with white mint toothpaste and putting hot sauce in his favorite doctor's coffee. Weston's parents were determined to give him the best life possible while he had breath. His days in the hospital were busy and fun, with physical, occupational, and speech therapies, homeschool, music, art, and mischief. When Weston Keeton was five years old, his mom asked him "if you could have lunch with a famous person who would it be?" In his journal he drew a small circle and gave it stick arms and legs. Then he drew a very large circle right next to the other one, and put a great big curved smile inside it. "I want to meet God" was his caption. Even though small and a child, Weston's faith spurred on the faith of his parents throughout the battles of his illness, and ultimately brought many others to know the love of Jesus. After 2.5 years of waiting, Weston received his gift of life on December 12, 2013, with a heart and double lung transplant. His seven year old body fought valiantly to accept the new organs over the next few months, but took a large turn for the worse in mid-March, then God called Weston home. We will always remember what Weston taught us about life: that life is to be lived, to be celebrated, and to be treasured; to take pleasure in little things, in each other's company, and to love Jesus largely. We will miss him and his fierce spirit tremendously, but remember these lessons that he taught us while we enjoyed his presence here. Weston leaves behind so many exceptional physicians, experts, nurses and caregivers. Their continual dedication, perseverance, and passion for Weston's care touched us so deeply. Weston's love extends to his heart surgeon, Dr. Spray, Dr. Hanna, Dr. Montenegro, Dr. Zinman, the entire 6th floor at CHOP, the heart and lung transplant teams, and the pulmonary hypertension team. Meredith McDonough worked diligently through child life to support Weston and cheer him on, in every way possible. He was also blessed by the music and magic tricks of Woody Wolfe (Heart to Hand Ministries). He is preceded in death by paternal great grandfathers, Mckinley Mitchell (for which Weston was named after), Howard Keeton, and Verlon Lunceford; maternal grandfather Bobby Harless; maternal great grandparents, Ruth and Virgil Hargis; and special friend Megan Johnson. Weston is survived by his loving parents, Adam and Julie Keeton of Kingsport, Tennessee; his older brother, Easton; his younger siblings, Abby, Emery, Sutton, Avery, and Ellie Keeton; his grandparents, Doug and Pam Keeton; great grandmothers, Cloia Jean Lunceford and Arlene Mitchell; aunts, April Ausmus (Travis Ausmus), Nancy Harless, and Mara Harr (Matt Harr); and special friend, Laura Franklin. The family will receive friends from 1 pm to 3 pm and from 4 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, April 3, 2014 at Higher Ground Baptist Church, 1625 Lynn Garden Dr., Kingsport. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 7 pm at the church with Pastor Phil Whittemore officiating. The family kindly requests all attending the visitation and the celebration of life service to wear red in memory of our sweet boy and in honor of heart disease. The family would like to thank the Kari's Heart Foundation, Hayden's Heart Foundation, Make A Wish East Tennessee, and the Ronald McDonald House. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kari's Heart Foundation c/o Weston Keeton, 212 Highland Gate Dr, Johnson City, TN 37615. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving the Keeton family.