Brooke Michelle Dansby

Brooke Michelle Dansby, 16, of Charlotte, NC, tragically passed away on December 23, 2020 after suffering from both physical and mental illnesses for several years. Today we believe her sweet spirit lives on in heaven, with the Lord Jesus Christ, until she receives her new, perfect, and eternal body at Christ's return, as lovingly promised in the Bible.

Our precious Brooke was born on February 22, 2004, in Charlotte, to Jason and Donna Dansby and was the engaging extrovert of the family. She attended Covenant Presbyterian Preschool and then Scholars Academy Charter School through 2nd grade. Beginning her 3rd grade year, Brooke’s parents begin homeschooling both her and her brother, Drew. Brooke enjoyed being a part of Classical Conversations home school community at Spirit Of Joy Church in Weddington, NC for 6 years and Compass Prep homeschool group in Rock Hill, SC her 10th grade year. Brooke also went to Myers Park High School for a short time in 9th grade.

Brooke grew up attending Grace Covenant Church in Charlotte and was deeply loved by her small church family. She also attended First Baptist Charlotte and Christ Covenant in Matthews, NC during her high school years. Brooke gave her life to Jesus Christ early on and her faith always remained important to her. Between 3rd and 6th grades, she faithfully attended Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) children’s program with her dad where she cherished the leaders, weekly memory verse quizzes, and making friends. She also enjoyed volunteering at her church in the nursery, as a greeter, and a monthly cleaner. Brooke loved babies and as a young girl, became a “Mother’s Helper” to several of her mom’s friends and neighbors. Brooke also volunteered with “Faith, Hope & Love Mentoring Program”, teaming with her dad for weekly mentoring of underprivileged children with schoolwork. She excitedly looked forward to going each week, especially when she was old enough to have her own mentee. To honor her love and passion for mentoring, Faith Hope & Love Mentoring Program has since named an annual volunteer award after Brooke.

Brooke was naturally athletic and especially loved soccer; a hobby which began on the school playground and continued with Charlotte Junior Soccer and onto club soccer with Charlotte United and the Charlotte Eagles. Being a “lefty” like her mom, Brooke was a gifted Center Back with quick reflexes and an incredibly precise slide tackle. She also enjoyed juggling the soccer ball with her dad in the back yard and playing tennis with him.

Brooke’s soccer fun turned more serious when at ages 12 and again at 14, she suffered two concussions which left her feeling isolated for months at a time with painful symptoms. Recovery was long and difficult. She eventually decided to give up the sport she loved so much. Brooke’s mental health challenges also began during this time and at 13 years of age, was diagnosed with a life-threatening eating disorder. A few years later, she was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well as several other challenging health issues.

Providentially, at the age of 15 and feeling a bit lost without soccer, Brooke was invited to join Eagle’s Wings, a local homeschool musical theater group. Immediately she fell in love with her new hobby singing and dancing. She also made some of her closest friends yet in this tight knit, loving, and God-honoring community. Shortly after her 16th birthday and weeks before the COVID shutdown, Brooke performed in her first musical, Holiday Inn, and had already won a small part in the next year's production.

Despite many physical and mental health challenges at such a young age, Brooke fought every day for life and recovery the best she could, once even riding her bicycle to a local ER and admitting herself during a mental health crisis. She also bravely stayed at multiple residential ED treatment centers in both Durham, NC and Coconut Creek, FL, as well as ED and behavioral health programs in Charlotte; each for weeks to months at a time. For the last 3 years of her short life, Brooke was continually under the care of specialized doctors, therapists, and dietitians and was surrounded by loving and supportive family and friends encouraging her recovery. She hoped one day to help others with eating disorders either as a nurse or counselor. One of Brooke’s favorite quotes visible on her bedroom wall was, “One day you’ll tell your story of how far you’ve come and how you’ve overcome what you’re going through now, and it will become part of someone else’s survival guide.”

Although Brooke requested her personal struggles be kept private, she never stopped striving to live a normal life doing the activities she loved most. This included spending time with friends, enjoying her favorite music, photography and videography, writing handwritten letters to friends, long walks, her dog Vinnie, greenway bike rides with her family, obsessively playing double solitaire (especially with her mom), PlayStation and Nancy Drew Mystery gaming with her brother, Star Trek, solving her Rubix cube, singing and playing the guitar, writing in her journals, and reading Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings books over and over and over.

Brooke’s love and thoughtfulness for those around her was always evident. Engaging with her left you feeling loved, listened to, understood, and encouraged. Brooke was also extremely intelligent, intuitive, organized, and hard working; always thinking a step ahead of everyone and an excellent student. She loved her family and especially enjoyed playing games and working puzzles with her grandparents. Brooke also shared a close bond with her older brother, Drew, whom she deeply loved and always supported.

Our strawberry-blond, blue-eyed, Brooke, with her infectious and warm smile, will be in our hearts every day until we see her again in heaven. And we will miss her unselfish sweetness this world so desperately needs.

Brooke was preceded in death by her infant brother, Collier (2006) and is buried near him at Evergreen Cemetery in Charlotte, NC.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by her brother, Drew Dansby (19) and grandparents, Doug and Marie Dansby of Pensacola, FL, Sally Hoover of Clover, SC and John Williams of Fort Lauderdale; and Aunt Kate (Kathy) Williams of Vero Beach, FL.

A beautiful and touching family service officiated by pastor and friend, Daren McGrew, was held Monday, December 28 at the Anne Springs Greenway in Ft Mill, SC, surrounded by green pastures, majestic horses, and a Carolina blue sky. Anne Springs had become one of Brooke's favorite places to find peace during these incredibly challenging years.

A Covid-safe, outside memorial service celebrating Brooke's life was held at Christ Covenant Church, Matthews, NC on January 2nd at 2pm with many loving friends and family attending.

Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."

Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

The family requests in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to:

Faith, Hope and Love Mentoring Program https://www.fhlmentoring.com

National Association Alliance on Mental Illness-NAMI https://www.nami.org/home

National Eating Disorders Association https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org