17 minute read
Nevaeh Williams
Story by Kelly Harley | Photos by Michelle Holloway
It’s Saturday, and 11-year-old Nevaeh Williams is enjoying a movie with her best friend, Rosie. Like any typical fifth-grader, spending time with her friends is a weekend highlight. What’s not typical is the way Nevaeh thinks. Most kids her age don’t understand how precious each day is because most don’t know what it’s like to learn you have a 15-percent chance of living five years.
A Force to Be Reckoned With
Nevaeh’s infectious smile, her studious poise and her mature-beyond-her-years attitude captivates you. It’s hard to believe that at eight years old, doctors diagnosed her with desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT), an aggressive and rare type of cancer. Her mom, Alana Williams, remembers when they noticed something wasn’t right. “Nevaeh was doing a cartwheel, and her shirt came up, and I noticed her stomach was really big. It was as hard as a rock,” says Alana. After a second opinion in Atlanta, her family learned what it was and just how serious it was.
In less than two years, Nevaeh endured
14 cycles of chemotherapy, 20 cycles of radiation, six surgeries and 11 blood transfusions. “I didn’t cry when I found out. I can beat it,” smiles Nevaeh. You can’t help but think it’s her perseverance that
has played a role in her health. “She knows how to pray, and she knows God healed her and will keep her healed,” says Alana.
Nevaeh’s strength is amazing, and her love of sports even more. She once scored 16 baskets in one game. “My favorite part of basketball is being aggressive and stealing balls,” says Nevaeh. A valuable member of the Rincon recreational basketball team, she rules the court. Her resume includes travel softball, student council president at South Effingham Elementary School, and class spelling bee champ.
She is also a proud member of honor roll and has never made anything less than an A. Her cancer was the reason she was homeschooled for about a year and a half. Her immune system was weak because of chemotherapy, and so being around other children wasn’t an option. “I was ready to get back to school. I love
Fewer than 200 cases of DSRCT have been reported, about 85 percent of them in Caucasian people. Boys and young men are about four times as likely to have DSRCT as girls and young women.
school, and I like math the best,” says Nevaeh. Her mother did not doubt her abilities. “She is always a high achiever. She came back still above average.” A Family Support System
Nevaeh isn’t in this alone. Her family is by her side every step of the way. She has three sisters and one brother, and their bonds are tried and true. Her brother was three days old when her mother noticed her protruding abdomen. “Her brother was her distraction. She didn’t have a dog; she had her brother Draidyn. They have a special bond,” says Alana.
Alana admits at the beginning it was hard for the entire family including her husband. Between work, a new baby and the active lifestyles of the other children, keeping it all together was a huge challenge. Alana says for a while there was little stability for the children. She had to be in Atlanta with Nevaeh during her treatments and spent much of her time commuting. “We were a close family before, but this brought us closer together,” says Alana.
The family is also pledging to live a healthier lifestyle to support Nevaeh. They cut out dairy, beef and sugar, and eat more fruits, vegetables and seafood. Alana says they are taking an all-natural approach to Nevaeh’s care instead of having her take an oral chemo pill. Between diet, essential oils, Epson salt baths and vitamins, Nevaeh has 18 months of being cancer-free. It isn’t common to remain cancer-free this long for people with her type of cancer. Making a Difference
Nevaeh is an inspiration to so many people. Her mother maintains her Facebook page, Nevaeh’s Victory Against Cancer, which has more than 8,500 followers. It journeys her fight against cancer, her inspiring moments and her courageous endeavors. During the holidays, Nevaeh made it her mission to help a child going through cancer. She raised money and bought Christmas gifts for the four-year-old boy and his family. “It makes me sad when other kids are diagnosed with cancer. I want to be a nurse so that I can help others.”
She also wants to be a professional YouTuber. Her mother says she has a good chance because she is always an inspiration to other children. “Her doctors were amazed at how she inspired people. She would dance her way through chemo and have other children dancing with her.” Her mother says she even has plans to help children in another way. Not only did Nevaeh lose her gallbladder, pancreas and spleen, but the chemo also damaged her reproductive organs. She likely will never birth children. “She is going to adopt. She loves children and is good with them,” Alana says with a heartfelt smile.
Nevaeh is a leader not only in sports and in school but in life. She never wore wigs when she lost her hair and still keeps her hair short. In 2018, she signed with the
Georgia Southern softball team. She trains with them, has her own locker in the locker room and gets pointers from some of the best players around. She traveled to Jamaica with her family last June thanks to Make-a-Wish. She’s even rubbed elbows with famous musicians and celebrities. “I got to do a radio show with Ludacris. I met Fifth Harmony, Nick Jonas, Carly Pearce and Brandon Spink,” says Nevaeh. The Atlanta Falcons wore cleats in her honor during Childhood Cancer month.
Despite all she has been through, Nevaeh says she still feels like a kid. Her innocence shines through and her love of life is evident in how she carries herself. “Your current situation is not your final destination,” she says. What’s fascinating is how humble she is; she has no idea the impact she has on others. “Her doctors were amazed at how she inspired people. She would dance her way through chemo and have other children dancing with her.”
Follow Nevaeh’s journey on her Facebook page: Nevaeh’s Victory Against Cancer
Nevaeh is heavenspelled backwards.
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LUCY BELLE farm & lifestyle
Photo by Humble Bee Photography
Photo by Tucker Photo & Film
When you drive into the long treelined driveway, a sense of peace comes over you. This is Lucy Belle Farm. A captivating expanse of tranquility located just 30 minutes from downtown Savannah, Pooler, Rincon, Springfield, Hinesville, Claxton and Statesboro, it is the ideal space for weddings, special occasions, showers and family reunions where memories of a lifetime are made. Farm owner Sarah Williams says, “There is something magical about this property. It’s gorgeous, elegant country living within minutes of the city.”
Family Homeplace
Sarah, a graduate of Savannah Country Day School and Emory University, never had any doubt she would make her home in Coastal Georgia. “Before I moved to
the country, I had always lived in a city or a suburb.” But when her family found the farm almost twenty years ago, Sarah says they fell in love with the land and knew it would be a perfect place to raise her children. Within months, she sold her house on Isle of Hope, her parents sold their home on Dutch Island and her grandparents moved from North Carolina to join them, making it a true family compound. It was an idyllic place where they enjoyed many happy years. But as time went by, changes were inevitable.
After working at their family business, G & C Fertilizer, for 15 years with her father “Mr. Eddie,” Sarah left the business to take care of her mother, who eventually passed away from early on-set Alzheimer’s. By this time, her grandparents had also passed away, her children were grown and
Photo by Wendolyn Wells Photography
Photo by Humble Bee Photography
Photo by Humble Bee Photography
www.EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.com | February/March 2020 17 Sarah, her husband and her youngest son were living in her parents’ home on the property. New Beginnings and a New Name With her former home empty amid beautiful scenic landscapes, Sarah agreed to let friends use the property to host weddings and other events. But it wasn’t long before Mr. Eddie convinced her to turn the farm into an events business. Sarah had one condition—to make the large hay barn into a party venue. Mr. Eddie was skeptical at first, but not after it quickly became a popular event space. At the same time Mr. Eddie renovated an existing barn on the property and made it the ultimate man cave and home. Sarah says, “If he’s on the property, he loves to give guests the grand tour, perform a card trick or two, drink a beer, and tell a good joke.”
“Within one week of my being born, my great-grandfather began calling me Lucy Locket and the name stuck. Everyone in my family calls me Lucy, so when a friend of mine suggested ‘Southern Belle’ as the new business name, ‘Lucy Belle’ immediately popped into my head.” says Sarah, “So the farm became Lucy Belle Farm.”
Lucy Belle Events
Today, Lucy Belle Farm includes multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces for parties, ceremonies, events and receptions. There is a beautiful Coastal Georgia home, an enclosed barn, a party house, a European style patio and pergola on site.
They work within your budget and offer all services through the farm or preferred vendors. “We take care of everything for our clients, so they have “There is something magical about this property. It’s gorgeous, elegant country living within minutes of the city.”
Lucy Belle Farm
a chance to spend time with family and friends” says Sarah. From bar services, caterers, musicians, officiants, florists to photographers, they have you covered. Tables, chairs, linens, centerpieces, signage, chalkboards and decorations are on-site, and they handle set up and cleanup. They have a fabulous staff, picturesque areas for photo ops and three friendly dogs, Max, Andy and Remy! They recently partnered with Sarah Wright of Everlasting Memories to assist in wedding and event planning and booking. Sarah Wright and her coordinator, Amanda McIntyre, have been in business in Coastal Georgia and South Carolina for over 12 years and their experience and reputation are outstanding. It was also important for Sarah to partner with a group that enjoys working with all people because, “My motto at Lucy Belle Farm is that EVERYONE is welcome. We want people to come to our venue and relax and enjoy their special occasions.” Lucy Belle Lifestyle
“I want people to enjoy life every day. I believe all people are wonderful—and I tell them!” Sarah has merchandise with her famous saying, “You are wonderful!” because “I don’t want people to forget it!” Visit www.thelucybellelife.com, which highlights the Lucy Belle lifestyle and where you can purchase Lucy Belle Farm merchandise, visit Sarah’s blog and find tips on how to make life more fun. Sarah says," I love sharing our lifestyle with other people—even if only for a day. “ Community & Family
Sarah continues to volunteer and participate in civic organizations throughout the area. One of the first women inducted into Savannah’s downtown Rotary Club years ago, Sarah sees it as an honor and a duty to give back to her communities. She continues to be a member of numerous local chambers (she recently finished her reign as the President of the North Bryan Chamber of Commerce), the Statesboro BNI Chapter, a sponsor of Pride and Tybee Equality Fest, a member of the Savannah Wedding Vendors, Statesboro Wedding Vendors and the Low Country Wedding Vendors groups, and more.
Her oldest two sons are grown: Chris is a speech pathologist and Charles will begin practicing at a Savannah law firm this summer. Her third son, Jack, is a senior at Georgia Southern and her youngest son, Eli is a senior at Savannah Christian. Always busy, Sarah is working on a wedding etiquette book and has a few other irons in the fire.
But her heart is at Lucy Belle Farm. “Whether people come for the sunset, a cocktail, an event or some quiet time, we always want them to have that moment— that moment where they are just so glad to be alive, in this place, at this time!” To make an appointment to visit the farm, call 912-484-1449 or email lucybellefarmga@gmail.com. “Whether people come for the sunset, a cocktail, an event or some quiet time, we always want them to have that moment where they are just so glad to be alive, in this place, at this time!”
For more information about Lucy Belle Farm, visit www.lbfarm.net. For more information about Lucy Belle Lifestyle, visit www.thelucybellelife.com
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Harold’s Auto Paint & Body is dedicated to 100% customer satisfaction by maintaining the highest level of consistent, quality collision repair. From precision paint matching to full structural body repair, their superior workmanship is second to none in the industry. Owner Mark Arrington has been in the business for 31 years and says “Our focus is on customer service and our goal is to always exceed our customers’ expectations. Our focus is on community involvement as well. I was born and raised here, and I love my community. We are probably the busiest shop in the southeast because of our loyal customers and I appreciate their loyalty on a deep personal level.” Many of their customers have an insurance company involved in their collision and Mark says, “No matter what collision repair shop the insurance companies have on their list, we want to be YOUR shop of choice.” Harold’s works with all insurance companies and works directly with them to process your claim. Mark says, “Our mission is to make your experience as smooth and painless as possible through our high level of service and convenience.” Their 21,000 square-foot facility is fully equipped so their hard working and dedicated technicians can do the job right – the first time. Mark says, “Our technicians are certified and complete ongoing training to be current on the latest techniques using state-of-the-art equipment ensuring every car that comes to our shop is repaired precisely to specifications.” Mark says he and his outstanding team “will always be here if you have an issue, and we stand behind every job.”
HAROLD’S AUTO PAINT & BODY 5500 McCall Road, Rincon, GA 31326 912.826.2457 Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. www.haroldsbodyshop.com
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