My sweet sweet little Thursday's Hero left this mortal realm Saturday night. Cougarboard had a singular impact on our family in the way you all responded after I shared our experience of going to a spring football game. The AD's office told me their phone would not stop ringing with all the calls you wonderful people made on her behalf to meet the team. It was a stunning and humbling experience that she enjoyed more than most anything she ever got to do. Thank you all for all you ever did for us.

I miss you Beans!
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Everleigh Yvonne Knighton was born October 18, 2012 in Salt Lake City, UT to Nathan and Stephanie Knighton. After a traumatic delivery, Everleigh was left with significant brain damage and spent 49 days in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at the University of Utah Hospital. She was later diagnosed with a genetic disorder known as SCN8A, and spent a subsequent 2 years in Primary Children's Hospital struggling with severe cerebral palsy, epilepsy, respiratory failure, and other serious health issues related to her medical conditions. She was peacefully released from life on December 9, 2017, in Salt Lake City, UT, in the arms of her parents and surrounded by loved ones.

But as difficult as her life was, there were so many good times. Everleigh was known for her signature red, curly hair, her vivacious smile, and all of the personality to go with it. Everleigh always did things on her own terms. She had an opinion about everything, and was never afraid to tell you what she was thinking. Her eyebrows and facial expressions could speak a thousand words in one look. She often startled people with her wit, humor, and intelligence. You couldn't help but smile when you met her. She was also a complete snuggle bunny and was known for giving the sweetest hugs and kisses. Everleigh loved school and learning, and had a contagious curiosity about the world around her. She was an avid reader and was working her way through both the Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia book series. Everleigh had a tender heart for animals, and loved to learn about them. She particularly loved dinosaurs, horses, and dogs. She loved the natural world and her passions included camping, hiking, boating in the summers, and barbecuing with her family. Everleigh also had a passion for music and art, and particularly loved her music therapy sessions with MT Amanda Maestro-Scherer. Her favorite instruments included the ukelele, drums, sleigh bells, and the ever charismatic quack-stick. Her unique artwork brought a smile to anyone who looked at it. Everleigh was a talented baker and cook, and the love that she put into her food made it taste so delicious. Her cookies were legendary. Her favorite foods included pizza, pepperoni sticks, barbecue, anything from Zupas, and chocolate covered strawberries. Everleigh was a huge fan of figure skating, BYU football, Star Wars, Princesses, and the Marvel Universe. She loved to wear costumes and her favorite holiday was Halloween. Evey inspired everyone by her faith, courage, big dreams, and her undaunted ability to live life in spite of her disabilities. Her influence was far reaching and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Everleigh and her family wish to thank her many care providers for helping her through her journey in life, including the Rainbow Kids Palliative care team (with her most tender connections being Orley Bills III and Jeff Fleming), Betsy Ostrander, Justin Alvey, Sarah Butts, Ania Hubbard, Nancy Murphy, Chris Hartling, Mary Murray, Mary Kass, Alia Cazier, Connie Cantrell, and the many others who worked to keep her happy, home, and comfortable. Sincerest apologies and love to anyone who may not have been mentioned.

Everleigh is survived by her parents, Nathan and Stephanie Knighton, and is preceded in death by her Great Grandparents, Doris Bullock, William Lamarque, Jim Crow, and Eula Helm. Services will be held on Friday, December 15, 2017 at 11:00am at the LDS Meetinghouse:

470 Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84112

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Primary Children's Hospital in Everleigh's name.