This website was created in memory of our beloved daughter, Riley Jane Lawrence. Riley was born on December 22, 2003 and passed away on July 25, 2008 at the age of 4.

Riley's father and I never imagined that we'd only have 4 and a half years with our precious baby girl. We still cannot believe she's gone. She and her cousin Claudia Faye Wadlington were tragically taken from our family by a hit and run driver. They were crossing the street in the crosswalk, going to their last swim lesson of the season. Our lives will never be the same. We will remember Riley and her "best cousin" Claudia forever.

We thank You, Heavenly Father, for the gift of our beloved daughter Riley Jane. Though her time with us was far too short, the memory of the love we shared sustains us and lives in our hearts. We thank You, Father, for the gift of Riley's new baby brother Henry. We see her light every day in his sweet smile and know that she is with us always. Watch over all of us during this holiday season, and help us to love and care for each other. In Your name we pray. Amen.

JULY 25, 2010 - RILEY AND CLAUDIA'S 2ND ANGEL DAY

Life is eternal and love never dies. We will miss Riley and Claudia as long as we live. They will live in our hearts forever.

Today is Riley's 6th Birthday. She is celebrating it with Claudia and other friends and family in Heaven. We are remembering her here on Earth with cake, balloons, smiles and tears. In the spirit of Riley's love for animals and her generosity, we will honor her memory today by delivering presents the animals at Louisville Metro Animal Services. We will love and miss Riley forever.

HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE

DONATIONS IN MEMORY OF RILEY JANE LAWRENCE

On August 4, 2009 the Louisville Kentucky area experienced severe flash flooding. Two institutions that are very dear to the Lawrence family sustained heavy damage.

Riley loved to visit the Louisville Free Public Library, use the computers and check out books to read with Mommy and Daddy. David and Sarah Lawrence will be making a gift to the Library to help with recovery and rebuilding. To donate to the Louisville Free Public Library, please visit: http://www.lfplfoundation.org/

Riley loved all animals and particularly enjoyed visiting the animals in the shelter operated by Louisville Metro Animal Services. The shelter was almost completely flooded. Thanks to the heroic efforts of the staff, only a few animals were lost in the disaster. View photos of the flooding here. Money and supplies are needed to assist with the recovery effort. David and Sarah Lawrence have donated supplies and will be making a gift to help with this efforts. To donate to Metro Animal Services, please visit: Metro Animal Services Donation Page

JULY 25, 2009 - RILEY AND CLAUDIA'S ANGEL DAY

They will never be forgotten. The Lawrence and Wadlington families would like to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts, support and prayers. Rest in Peace, Riley and Claudia.

December 22, 2008 - HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY RILEY!

Today is Riley's 5th Birthday. She is celebrating it with Claudia and other loved ones in Heaven. We are remembering her here on Earth with cake, balloons, smiles and tears. We will love and miss her forever.

A Birthday in Heaven
Written by Kris Smith

I heard you crying yesterday
And felt your heart-sent love
So I’m sending you this message
Now, from Heaven up above.

You’re wondering if I’ll celebrate
My birthday (way up here)
I know you’re missing me today
I feel your essence near.

God planned a special day for me
He told me with a wink
He’d ordered me a special cake
(It’s Angel food, I think)

I’m getting lots of hugs from God
He’s really good at that
And every time that I walk by
He gives my head a pat

Balloons will fill the streets for me
They float up through the clouds
And we have lots of clowns up here
That make us laugh out loud

There is a birthday carousel
Jeweled horses ride the wind
With music playing oh so sweet…
The magic never ends

I’ve made so many friends, you see
We laugh and play and sing
We ride our bikes and play jump rope
And sleep in Angel’s wings

We’ll have our cake and ice cream
And open gifts, surprise!
But we don’t blow out our candles here
Instead, they light the skies

Source: http://www.mcadangel.com/birthday-in-heaven.html

OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN
We see the countless Christmas trees around the world below.
With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular; please wipe away those tears,
For we are spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

We hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear.
But the sounds of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here.
We have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.

We know how much you miss us. We see the pain inside your hearts,
But are not so far away. We really aren’t apart.
So be happy for us, dear ones. You know we hold you dear.
And be glad we are spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

We send you each a special gift from our heavenly home above.
We send you each a memory of our undying love.
After all, Love is the gift, more precious than pure gold.
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other, as our Father said to do,
For we can’t count the blessing or love He has for you.
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away those tears.
Remember, we are spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

~Dedicated to Riley and Claudia~
Christmas 2008  

The Lawrence Family (May 2007):

I wrote this tribute to Riley for the website I work for:

My precious daughter, my only child, the light of my life, Riley Jane Lawrence was born December 22, 2003 in Jeffersonville, Indiana at Clark Memorial Hospital. Riley was a happy baby, a delightful toddler and an engaging preschooler. She attended preschool at Uncle Sam's Place and was a member of Resurrection Episcopal Church. Riley studied gymnastics at All About Kids/Champion Gymnastics in Louisville, was a student at Cardinal Splash of the University of Louisville and had recently begun studying dance at the Louisville Ballet School.

Riley loved her two dogs, Moe and Daisy, and her two cats, Chip and Sonny. She had an ant farm and just the week before she died, had incorporated a new member into her animal family: a blue Betta that she and Claudia named Bluefish. Riley loved animals of all kinds and sometimes talked of becoming a "beterinarian."

Besides her "best cousin" Claudia, Riley loved her best friend Amelia, Amelia's sister Janelle, cousins Tripp, Matthew, Katie and Preslee, and her friends Kennedy, Lexie, Kevin, Wyn, Chloe, Emily and all of her classmates. Her favorite color was pink and she loved Hello Kitty and Dora the Explorer. Riley was well loved by and loved her father David and mother Sarah, her grandparents Gaga, Nana Kim, Grandma "Elmo" Jan, Grandpa Don, Papaw Kenny and Nana Markham.

Riley Lawrence (right) and Claudia Wadlington (July 24, 2008):

Riley's Obituary (Louisville Courier-Journal):

LAWRENCE, RILEY JANE, 4, died Friday, July 25, 2008. Riley and Claudia Faye Wadlington were cousins through their grandmothers, Kim and Eva, who are life partners. The girls celebrated this life hand in hand and departed this life hand in hand. She was a member of Resurrection Episcopal Church. She was survived by her mother, Sarah Markham Lawrence; father, David Lawrence; maternal grandparents, Eva Markham, Louisville and Kenneth Markham, Madisonville, KY; paternal grandparents, Janice Lawrence and Donald Lawrence; maternal great-grandmother, Mary Nell Markham, Madisonville, KY. Funeral service: is 11 a.m. Tuesday, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2233 Woodbourne Avenue, with burial to follow in Cave Hill Cemetery.