There is so much I would love to share about my daughter, Tiffany. How do you describe in a few short words a girl as lovely as Tiffany? She only lived for fifteen short years, but her days were joyously full. She loved every moment of life and lived it to the very fullest!

Tiffany was born Sept. 7, 1985, at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta. She was a beautiful baby weighing 8 pounds, seven ounces. She grew to be a healthy, happy child who came to know Jesus at the young age of two. She accepted Him as her Savior at age five and again (just to be sure) at six. She was baptized shortly after her seventh birthday in September 1992. This was a joyous occasion for her and her family.

 

Tiffany at age one month ~ October 1985



She began gymnastics and cheerleading at four years old, softball at five, and acting in local theaters at seven. She had a beautiful voice and sang all the time. She loved everyone and everyone loved her. Truly, she smiled all the time and brought joy wherever she went! She was close to God and loved Him with her whole heart. Much of her time was spent in prayer. She prayed every day and night for her daddy to be saved. She prayed daily for all her family and friends, paying special attention to any needs she was made aware of. This was all from a very young age. I now believe that in her spirit she felt a need to do so much, so fast, because somewhere deep within she knew she might not be here to do all she wanted.

 

My Angel Cheerleader~ August 2000



She planned to attend UCLA and major in Liberal Arts on cheerleading, drama, and academic scholarships, while she ran over to Hollywood to audition for acting roles. She had big dreams, and there is no doubt in my mind that she would have fulfilled every one of them if God had allowed her to stay. At the time of her death, she was a freshman at Gordon Central High School, cheering for Varsity Football and Competition Squad. She was good at everything. She was an all “A” Honor Student and even after her death received the French Award at school. A National Honors Yearbook was dedicated to her and three others. A “Tiffany Sisson Memorial Scholarship” for college cheerleading was established at her high school; and her middle school began a drama award this year in her memory. They also dedicated their yearbook to her memory.

 

Tiffany playing the role of Molly in "Annie" ~ July 1993



There is no way to fully summarize Tiffany’s life. It was so filled with Love, Joy, and Happiness. Our lives are very empty without her; however, we continue to see her life touch others. She lives on in so many different ways. As an organ donor, Tiffany gave life to several others, even as hers ended.

Tiffany was loved for who she was. The funeral home was packed with lines of people estimated to be around 2,000 and, for the funeral, at least 700 people crammed into a church meant for 400. This tragic loss has been painful for us and many friends and family. I believe we all are appointed to die and only God knows the day. Tiffany's just happened to be very early, but I am very grateful that I had fifteen WONDERFUL years with her.

Love In Christ,
Dawn M. Sisson

 

Services were at Evangelical Methodist Church, where she worshiped and was active in the youth group. Ray Owens, the youth pastor at Evangelical Methodist, said Tiffany was a "dedicated Christian" who was one of the leaders of the youth group. Tiffany had the nickname "Miss Giggles," Owens said, and was "such a joy to be around. She was an integral part of our church family."

Tiffany was part of a core of students in the youth group who ministered to the community and lead youth services. "One of things she prayed for was for her father to come to know the Lord," Owens said. She was so excited that happened last year. She loved her family so much."

Tiffany, who had just started her freshman year at Gordon Central High School, was an "honors student" also known for her many interests, Owens said. He noted her cheerleading, gymnastic and theatrical activities. "She was one of those teen-agers just going a mile a minute," Owens said. She had been selected an All-American cheerleader and performed in plays for the Artistic Civic Theatre and the Dalton Little Theatre.

Tiffany was injured in an accident at the intersection of Highway 41 and Carbondale Road. Owens spent time at the hospital with her family before she died. He said all the members of Tiffany's cheerleading squad visited at one time or another. Tiffany had told her mother a few weeks ago, "I don't think I have much time left," Owens said.

"She had a sense for the last month that something was going to happen." Of the tragedy, Owens said, "We trust God knows that he's a good God and that He sees far into the future, further than we can. "We trust God, even though it's a tragedy, that some good will come out of it." One way good can come from Tiffany's death is through her donation of her organs. "She was an extraordinary teenager," Owens said. "Although she was pretty normal in a lot of ways she wasn't afraid to go the extra mile." Survivors include her parents, Max and Dawn Sisson, and a brother, Eric.

 

This poem was found in Tiffany's handwriting
on a sticky note in the front of a book entitled
"One Hundred and One Famous Poems"
Cissy, her second mom found it while cleaning for me
after the accident. It appears she chose this one as her favorite
out of 101 poems. She was around 6 years
old when she wrote it.

Not In Vain
Emily Dickinson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain:
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

She lived this poem!
Always reaching out to others whose heart may be
breaking and being a friend to them.
She did not live in vain.

Tiffany at Miss Pre-Teen Georgia ~ Summer 1997

E-mail Dawn Sisson, Tiffany's Mother



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