Emerson Mae Appleby, 6

Emerson Mae Appleby, 6 of Ashland passed peacefully from this life on Wednesday, evening, November 27, 2024.

She was born on May 11, 2018 in Akron, the loving daughter of Jordon R. and Rhiannon M. (nee Brown) Appleby who survives.

Emerson “Emie Mae” was a fighter from the day she was born, having defied all odds of her prognosis. Those who knew her knew how much she loved watching Cocomelon, going for golf cart rides with her best friend, her Daddy, swinging outside, playing Tball with the Unstoppables and swimming - all activities that allowed her body to feel free and weightless.

Despite her many health challenges, Emerson lived a full and happy life and loved to travel with her family, having experienced more in six years than most do in their entire lives."

She loved visiting her grandparents at their homes in the Outer Banks and Miramar Beach for numerous family vacations. She spent a magical week at Give Kids the World Village in Florida for her wish trip, where she met Disney princesses and characters, rode rides, and even got to ride in an airboat for a gator tour. Family trips throughout the years also included destinations like Frankenmuth, Gatlinburg, Niagara Falls, and New York City.

A warm and gentle child of God, Emie loved being rocked to sleep every night - listening to her mother sing You Are My Sunshine and Jesus Loves Me. She had a cheesy, ornery grin that would light up a room and carried a spirit about her that would make people instantly drawn to her. As Luke 18:16 says, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God”. We know Emie is in the loving arms of our Savior and now free from her earthly chains.

In addition to her parents, Emerson is survived by her brother, Breckon Appleby of Ashland; her paternal grandparents, Mitch and Denise Appleby of Ashland; her maternal grandmother, Melissa (Eric) Karl of Mount Gilead, her maternal grandfather, Josh (Betty) Brown of Lexington; her paternal great grandmother, Sally Thiel of Ashland; her maternal great grandmother, Carleen Brown of Lexington; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Emerson is preceded in death by her paternal great grandfather, Bob Thiel, paternal great grandparents, Jack and Carol Appleby, maternal great grandfather, Russell Brown, maternal great grandmother, Millicent Brey, and step great-grandparents Gerald and Margaret Karl.

A private family interment service will be held in the Ashland Cemetery with Pastor Mark Abel and Pastor Tommy Theisen presiding. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Emerson’s name may be made to: Wishes Can Happen (https://wishescanhappen.org/) or Unstoppables Youth Sports (https://unstoppablesports.org/).

For those unable to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.

Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to handle the arrangements.