Sherman – Funeral Services for Mikayla Maree Mitchell will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, July 24 at Sherman Bible Church. The Rev. Mark Posey will officiate with services under the direction of Waldo Funeral Home.  Burial at West Hill Cemetery will follow with Gary Owen, Kevin Owen, Robert Owen, Ricky Owens, Jesse Owens, Harlan Owens, Buck Smith, and Carson Owens serving as pallbearers .  Mikayla, 17, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, July 16 in Dallas.

Mikayla was born December 21, 1999 in Sherman. She attended Sherman schools and Grayson County Community College.

Mikayla was a beautiful, intelligent free spirited young lady, with a great sense of humor. She was loved by many people and had many friends.  Mikayla enjoyed listening to music and choreographing her own dance moves from a very young age.  She also had a love for art and children.  Every child that was graced with Mikayla's presence felt the love shine from her smile.  Her laugh was contagious and her hugs could warm anyone on a cold winter day.  Though she was taken from us far too soon, she will be forever missed but never forgotten.  The wonderful memories that we share of our sweet girl will carry on and our love for her we will cherish in our hearts.

She is survived by her mother, Jennifer Elaine Diamond of Sherman; sister, Josie Francis Bates; brother, Christian Daniel Dane Bates; step-brothers Drake and Zach Diamond; step-sister, Leah Diamond; her two fathers, Kenneth Eugene Mitchell of Denison and William Clayton Bates of Sherman;  step-father, Howard Gregg Diamond; grandparents, Jerry Owen of Tom Bean, Linda Smith of Whitesboro, Kenneth Mitchell of Van Alstyne, and Debbie Geddis and her husband Greg of Denison; great grandmother, Martha Raley of Denison; and numerous other aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles and cousins.

The register book can be signed online at www.waldofuneralhome.com

We didn't know that morning

God was going to call your name

In life we loved you dearly

In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you

You did not go alone

For part of us went with you,

The day God called you home.

You left us beautiful memories,

Your love is still our guide,

And though we cannot see you,

You are always by our side.

Our family chain is broken,

And nothing seems the same…

But as God calls us one by one,

The chain will link again.