Mikayla Alexis Waggoner

Mikayla was entering her junior year at Xavier University and was studying International Studies-International Business. She was scheduled to study abroad in September, journeying to Salzburg, Austria, where she was planning to spend an entire semester.

She was an avid animal rights supporter, starting at an early age by taking it upon herself to set up a lemonade stand and donating all of her earnings to the local animal shelter. Mikayla continued this selfless act for several years.

She also was determined to accomplish her dream of graduating from college, working as many jobs as she could to help offset the costs. She did not accept the word "cannot" in her life, and she will always be remembered for her fierce determination, her deep desire to accomplish her goals, and her stop at nothing attitude.

Mikayla is survived by her parents, James and Suzanne Waggoner, her brother, Nikolas Waggoner, her grandparents, Judy Waggoner (Waldron, IN) and Kenneth and Gena Stafford (Flat Rock, IN), her uncle and aunt, Patrick and Crystal Walls (New Castle, IN), her uncle and aunt, Aaron and Nikki Orr (Germany), and her cousins, Zachary Debord (New Castle, IN) and Aiden Orr (Germany).

Mikayla is also survived by many extended family members in Indiana and West Virginia, as well as the plethora of chosen family and friends she made throughout her short but irreplaceable life.

Her unique spirit, benevolent soul, and goofy smile will be celebrated during a visitation Sunday, August, 2, 2015, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN . A memorial service will follow at 5 p.m. with the Rev. Alecia Gross officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mikayla's name to Animal Outreach of Shelby County, 910 Revello St., Shelbyville, IN 46176; or Shelbyville/Shelby County Animal Shelter, 705 Hale Road, Shelbyville, IN 46176.

"Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know that they are happy."