Alyssa Mackenzie Marshall

Alyssa Mackenzie Marshall April 11, 2001 – July 3, 2019 “Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart” Khalil Gibran Alyssa was blessed with both outer and inner beauty. She was known for her mesmerizing blue eyes, her infectious smile, and her empathetic, loving spirit.The light in her heart was expressed as kindness, cheer and compassion for all living things.Tribute messages from her friends illustrate the true story of Alyssa - “You always wore a smile on your face and you were the kindest person I ever met”; and “I can’t remember a time when you weren’t cheering someone up”. Alyssa was born in Sherman, Texas.Her treasured little brother Brayden was born almost three years later. When Alyssa was eight years old, the family was devastated by her diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes did not define Alyssa, but it helps explain her. From there forward, she and her parents fought together every day for her life. But, with their loving support, Alyssa lived a wonderful life that diabetes was just a part of. Suprina and Ryan encouraged Alyssa to have a full and fulfilling life-and she did. Her talent as an artist was obvious when she was just a toddler and she pursued art through high school. Her art was displayed in many juried art shows and she won several awards. Her art will live on as a reminder of our unique, quirky and talented Alyssa. At Forney high school, Alyssa was a proud member of the Color Guard, competing alongside other dedicated, hard working students with a passion for art, dance and music. As always, she reached out with kindness and inclusion to make friends and touch the lives of others in the Color Guard. “Dachshunds are the best dogs on the planet”, according to Alyssa, and her beloved Ellie was the best dachshund on the planet. She and Ellie were inseparable and Ellie is missing her terribly. Alyssa’s greatest source of pride might well have been her brother Brayden. She seldom missed any of Brayden’s baseball games and was one of his biggest fans! Photos abound with her arm around her little brother! Other loves in Alyssa’s life were cooking, watching Grey’s Anatomy, playing with sand crabs and shells at the beach, eating very rare steaks, licking her custom made dill pickle juice popsicles, shopping, and masterful, artistic makeup applications. Her friends meant the world to her. She loved being pampered by and spending time with her Nana and Papaw, who gave her the nickname, “Butterbean”. That name stuck-though it was shortened to “Bean”. She adored her Aunt Gail, who like Alyssa, left us way too soon. When Alyssa graduated this May, she taped a picture of her Aunt Gail inside her cap as a loving tribute. Alyssa began working at Marco’s pizza when she was 15, and quickly advanced to become a shift leader. Her co-workers say she was a tough boss with high expectations! Her goal was to earn and save enough money to buy her own car and she was so very proud of the car she bought just after her high school graduation. Alyssa was preceded in death by her great grandparents Jack and Alice Gordon, Roy and Martha Willis, and Ted and Ruth Marshall; and her Aunt Gail Willis Sims. She is survived by her parents Ryan and Suprina Marshall and brother Brayden Marshall;grandparents Marty and Brenda Landry, and Glen and Sharla Marshall; great uncle Rocky Willis;uncles Lane Marshall ,Jason Landry, Eric Sims;and very special friends Rainy Rigdon, Megan Cheney, Emma Lowery; and her precious canine sister Ellie. Donations in Alyssa’s honor can be made to “Team up for T1D Kids”, a 501(c) 3 organization, for an “Alyssa Marshall” scholarship to a deserving student with Type 1 Diabetes. Contribute online- teamupfort1d.org, or mail check to 706 W, 45th Avenue, Kennewick WA 99337 . Ph: 509-438-6571