'Love you mostest infinity': Kycie Terry laid to rest

It was impossible to escape Kycie Jai Terry's toothy smile and big blue eyes Thursday morning.

They jumped out from photos of the 5-year-old and filled the words of her loved ones as they mourned her loss and celebrated her life.

Multiple family members mentioned Kycie's eyes and smile during her funeral services Thursday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Boulder Ridge Stake Center in St. George.

Her uncle Jordan Terry said his older brother, Kycie's father Josh Terry, once asked him why Kycie's story had become so big. After all, there are so many other sick children in the world. Jordan replied that Kycie had a memorable name and beautiful features that drew people in.

"Her story had to be so big because so many people had to be reminded how to feel again," Jordan said.

The little girl captured the hearts of many Southern Utahns when her undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes led to a brain injury in January.

Her subsequent 111-day stay at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City raised awareness about the dangers of undiagnosed juvenile diabetes as support for the Terry family grew through the Kisses for Kycie campaign. She died at home Saturday morning in the arms of her father.

Josh's brother Brion Terry told The Spectrum & Daily News the family truly appreciates the local support.

"The whole St. George community has really been tremendous," Brion said. "The community showed a lot of respect for us on this day, which was important."

Kycie was interred at Tonaquint Cemetery in St. George near a park where she used to play. Her father offered the dedicatory prayer over the grave.

Before that private ceremony, a congregation numbering in the hundreds stood Thursday morning as Kycie's little casket rolled into the chapel for the funeral services.

The cream-colored casket was adorned with pink details and the Kisses for Kycie logo used to generate support for the family since she became ill.

References to the family's LDS faith were found in both words and song throughout the funeral. Some mentioned the LDS doctrine of a pre-mortal life, where all human beings lived as spirits with God and chose to take on the challenges of mortal life on earth.

They also referenced the LDS belief that ordinances on earth can "seal" a family together for eternity, preserving mortal relationships beyond death.

Kycie's mother, Jaime Terry, delivered the eulogy. She spoke of how happy she was six years ago to find out she was going to have a daughter after giving birth to four sons. She went out and bought pink everything – the same color that framed photos of Kycie at the funeral and decorated her casket.

"She was so beautiful and everything I could have dreamed of," Jamie said of her newborn daughter.

The family later moved from central Utah to St. George and Jamie gave birth to a fifth son, Boston. As Kycie grew up she developed a love for life that was contagious, Jamie said.

Everyone who knew her fell in love with her smile and the light in her eyes.

Kycie soon picked up phrases she would often repeat.

"It's good morning."

"My name is Kycie or Sissy."

"Do you love it?"

But Jamie said the phrase that will always be a part of their family was the one that adorned the front of the funeral program, right below Kycie's sparkling eyes and beaming smile: "Love you mostest infinity."

Jamie said her daughter was "tough as nails" because she grew up with five brothers. That toughness got her through the past six months.

Her family members said at the funeral that their faith gives them strength with her loss. Her uncle Jace King said it is natural for human beings to resist endings because their spirits are immortal children of God.

"We are made of the stuff of eternity," he said. "Endings are not our destiny."

But because of their faith in the eternal nature of family relationships, they know there are no true endings, only beginnings.

They were gathered at Kycie's funeral to say goodbye to her for only a short time before they are reunited again in the next life.

Jace and Jordan were both among the family members invited to the Terry home Saturday morning after Kycie died. Jordan described it as a "sad, yet sacred time" with an atmosphere of "reverence and peace."

Kycie gave that peace to others, he said.

Jordan also addressed Kycie's four older brothers: Bryton, Treyton, Daxton and Keaton. Kycie called them "my boys."

On Thursday they were counted among her pallbearers.

"You guys have hurt and felt pain at a deeper level than most," he said to the boys. "As a result, you have learned how to love at a deeper level."

Bishop Chuck Cotter, the Terry family's ecclesiastical leader, officiated at the funeral. He said he visited the family on Sunday, the day after Kycie's death, and observed Jamie sitting at the piano with the little ones gathered around her. And there was Daxton by her side, rubbing his mother's back and comforting her.

The bishop said it was an illustration of how the Terry family comforted so many others who mourned with them through this struggle.

"How is it possible?" he asked. "How can such tragedy lead to love? How can such heartache co-exist with hope? How can peace come from pain?"

Kycie's cousin Karissa King answered many of the bishop's questions in her remarks as she tenderly painted a portrait of the little girl, who loved to play with Karissa's long hair and often helped babysit Boston.

"She was like his little mom," Karissa said, adding that Kycie also tried to make sure her older brothers were behaving.

Kycie's father was the final family speaker. Josh said his daughter would often ask him to lie down by her side while she fell asleep. Little things like that taught him to be happy.

He described her as "the most Christ-like person I ever knew."

He said her suffering purified him and reminded him of who he is. He gave his thanks to God for the title of "Kycie's daddy."

"There will always be a hole in my heart," Josh said to Kycie. "Every day I will remember you."

During the eulogy, Jamie said she believed Kycie made the choice to stay that day in January when she became so ill. She knew her family still needed to learn from her.

Jamie said she believes that Kycie's spirit knew she would face this trial before she came to earth but she still chose to come and join the Terry family. Her life here was short, but she learned to love "her boys" and "her baby."

She learned to love school and gymnastics and cheerleading. She taught those she touched how to feel and how to love.

"Kycie, thank you for choosing me to be your mom," Jamie said through free-flowing tears. "I know you can now dance and cheer in heaven. I love you mostest infinity."

Follow Brian at Facebook.com/PasseyBrian or on Twitter and Instagram, @BrianPassey. Call him at 435-674-6296.

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