Evelyn (Evie) Diana Zepeda

Evelyn "Evie" Diana Zepeda became an angel on Dec. 12, 2017.

In her short life, Evie lived fiercely. She was full of life from the moment her Mommy and Daddy knew of her existence. An active baby, she was strong and persistent, and always liked for us to know she was there. In the end, she saved her Mommy's life. Evie knew how much her Mommy was needed on Earth for her sweet big brother Caleb and Daddy.

She had her Daddy's sweet tooth and craved Braum's mint chocolate chip ice cream with hot fudge, Cherry Twizzlers, Dots, Star Crunch and Starbursts, among other desserts. She didn't mind as long as it was sweet. She was Mommy's shopping buddy, and she always knew when Mommy was shopping for her, as she gave extra jabs and kicks of approval. She especially loved moving when Daddy put his hands on Mommy's tummy or when Caleb would snuggle up right next to her on Mommy's tummy. She always moved closer to hear his voice.

She loved hearing the family talk about our days, plan and dream together. She loved hearing the books we read, our songs and laughing at bedtime. She loved hearing Caleb say goodnight and "I love you, baby sister," every night. She loved when he rubbed Mommy's tummy and told her to keep growing and that he'd meet her soon. She heard Mommy's heartbeat from the inside and we loved hearing hers from the outside. She knew how much our family loved her and we couldn't wait for her arrival.

Our hearts weren't ready for her to leave so soon or suddenly. Even though she never saw this side of heaven, never took a breath in this world, Evie, our beautifully perfect 8 lb., 5 oz. baby girl, moved mountains. She has left a lasting impression with everyone who was awaiting her arrival. She has enriched our lives in so many ways and we are eternally grateful she chose us to be her family. Her life will never be forgotten. We promise her that. We will hold her in our hearts until we can hold her again in heaven.

Evie is survived by her parents Barbara and Victor Zepeda, and brother Caleb. She is also survived by her loving grandparents, Scott Cheatham, Dan Paettie, Pam Paettie, Isabel and Victor Zepeda; great grandparents Barbara Boyd and Ana Lourdes de Perez; as well as her aunts, uncles and cousins: Natalie and Brett Paettie (cousins: Lesleigh, Conrad, Corban and Charleigh), Andrew Paettie, Anna Wakefield (cousins: Austin, Thomas, Adam and Annsley), Michael Zepeda and Rease Vineyard. Her aunt Diana Zepeda, great grandmothers Guadalupe Zepeda and Annamae Paettie and great grandfathers Charles Boyd, Joe Paettie and Rudy Zepeda, welcomed her at the gates of Heaven. Evie also has a very large loving extended family and friends on Earth and in Heaven.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13 at Restland Cemetery in the Devotion Garden, located at 13005 Greenville Ave, Dallas, Texas 75243.

In lieu of flowers, the Zepeda family requests donations be made in honor of Evie to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, a nonprofit organization that helps families who have lost infants. Contributions are accepted at www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/donate or by mail to 7500 E. Arapahoe Road, Ste 101 Centennial, Colorado 80112.

"When it hurts the most, we try to remember, the only thing our baby knew of this life was true and unconditional love. That's a beautiful thing."