Deana Story

THEBES, Ill. -- Deana Marie Story, 35, of Thebes passed away Friday, Aug. 8, 2014, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, while on vacation.

She was born Jan. 23, 1979, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Billy Dean and Donna Marie VanMeter Story.

Deana was a pharmacy technician at Cairo Pharmacy. She was a lifelong, faithful and dedicated member of Mighty Rivers Worship Center in Cairo, Illinois, where she sang with the choir and was a member of the hand bell choir.

She was a graduate of Egyptian Community High School Class of 1997, and prior to her increased illness had attended Shawnee Community College. Her life has been full and she savored much, good times, good friends, a loved one's touch.

Her beautiful smile and laughter will forever be with us. Deana faced many health challenges throughout her life, held her head up high and never asked God why. She will be remembered for the love and special times shared with her family and many friends.

In addition to her beloved mother, Donna of Thebes, she is survived by a cherished daughter, Faith Marie of Thebes; loving fiance, Saul Aguila of Tamms, Illinois; dear maternal grandmother, Elsie Marie Denton VanMeter of Tamms; aunts and uncles, Lora and Clifford Jerman of Hartford, Illinois, Ed and Eilene Story of Pekin, Illinois, Sam and Bonnie Story of Cahokia, Illinois, and Jack and Nancy Story of Mesa, Arizona; godparents, Rodney and Dorothy Dennis of Cairo; her very special church family; many cousins; numerous nieces and nephews; other extended family; many friends; her dog, Toby; and cat, Carly.

In addition to her beloved father, she was preceded in death by three half brothers, Billy, Steve and Mark Story; paternal grandparents, Edgar and Bertha Jackson Story; and maternal grandfather, Walter VanMeter.

In celebration of her life, visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Mighty Rivers Worship Center, 215 Tenth St. in Cairo.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the center, with the Rev. Dr. Larry Potts officiating. Burial will be in Olive Branch Cemetery in Olive Branch, Illinois.

Irwin Chapel in Glen Carbon, Illinois, is in charge of arrangements.

The hope of Deana's family is that someone will be able to live and see better through Deana's Gift of Life donation.

Memorials may be made to Mighty Rivers Worship Center for the organ fund.

irwinchapel.com