Elizabeth Kloe "Lizzy" Garland

Elizabeth “Lizzy” Kloe Garland passed away peacefully, comforted and loved on in the arms of her mother, father and brother on Sunday, May 26, 2013 at the age of 23-years old. She endured a nearly 5-year inspiring and faith-fueled fight against brain cancer.

God blessed John and Gloria Garland with her birth on January 26, 1990 in Torrance, California. She was raised in El Segundo, California and attended K-12 there before leaving home for college.

Lizzy grew up in the church and her faith in Jesus was intricately woven throughout all parts of her life. She went on Mexico Outreach trips a couple summers and tended to little ones in an orphanage. Most small children were attracted to her like bees to honey.

She first attended Hope Chapel in Hermosa Beach and then the El Segundo Foursquare Church where she helped grow the middle school/high school oriented UTurn program by dragging along many of her friends.

She began playing sports early but gravitated towards fast-pitch softball. She and her dad played. Some people call it practice. They played, always having a good time…laughing and enjoying being together.

She played in the youth league in El Segundo before moving out to play in travel ball with a number of teams including the Mizuno Pride (South Bay Pride) team in Torrance and the Newport Beach Riptide Gold team.

Her high school team played for the California Interscholastic Federation Championship in her junior year, followed by an appearance the following year in the semi’s. She was recruited and offered scholarships by a number of colleges but desired to attend a Christian school near home, Cal Baptist University in Riverside.

Her Cal Baptist team won the NAIA National Championship her freshman year, when doctors would not clear her to play. When the season ended her coach told her, “Lizzy, I don’t think you know how important you were to us winning the National Championship”. She was a blessing wherever she went.

Lizzy’s friends were almost too numerous to count…but not too numerous for her to love. She cared deeply about each. And, each knew it. She never had a bad word to say about anybody, even those who crossed her. She was a great example of Christ’s love. Her mother Gloria acted as a 24-hour caregiver the last 3 years; in addition to being her advocate to the medical community.

Lizzy’s faith never wavered and she accepted God’s invitation to Heaven.

Elizabeth is survived by her mother Gloria, father John, and brothers Zac and Geoff. Additionally, her surviving relatives include: Uncle Tommy and Aunt Sheila Morrow, Uncle Robert and Aunt Laura Morrow, Aunt Linda Wollenman, Uncle Scott and Aunt Antonia Garland. Surviving cousins include: Nicole and Michelle Morrow, Josh Morrow, Scottie, Carrie, Alexia, Casey and Travis Garland, Mike, Jeffrey, Cagney and Casey Wollenman. Most inspirational in Lizzy’s battle were beloved Great Uncle Reverend Leon Morrow (a retired evangelist) and Great Aunt Dorothy Morrow.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at LifeAustin Church on Saturday, June 1, 2013 from 2-4pm. Location is 8901 W. Highway 71, Austin, Texas 78735.

An additional service will be held at the softball field at Recreation Park in El Segundo, California on Saturday, June 15th at 5pm.

All are welcome to attend.

To share memories of Lizzy with her family, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com