Levi Cason Rudd

On March 24th 2011 at 5:40pm we welcomed Levi Cason Rudd into our family. Levi was born with pulmonary hypertension and needed specialized care that required him to be sent to Egleston’s Children Hospital in Atlanta, GA. While there, Levi received spell out before using abbreviation the first time (ECMO) therapy allowing his little heart and lungs the time needed to rest and heal. After 4 weeks he was discharged with no health problems and on no medicine which is unusual for children who have been so sick. We, of course, knew that Levi had been healed and that God had touched our precious baby boy. Levi was our Miracle baby.

As Levi grew he enjoyed playing with his older brother, Luke (5 yrs. old) and his older sister, Bailey (18 yrs. old). Levi loved to watch TV and, if a song came on he liked, he would want it to be played over and over again so he could hear it one more time. His favorite song was This Little Light of Mine.

Levi was a member of First Academy Pre-School in the Mother’s Morning Out class, where he enjoyed playing with his classmates. He made such an impact on one little girl that the only way her mom could get her to go into school was to tell her that Levi was there waiting for her to come and play. Levi was a very special little fellow.

On March 6, 2013, Levi got up and went to school just like any other day. His teachers said that Levi had a great day at school loving on everyone and telling them he loved them. When Bailey picked him up at school he hugged his teacher’s goodbye. When he came home he ran and climbed up in his daddy’s lap and said I love you daddy, then he got down and climbed up in mama’s lap and hug and kissed on her and told her he loved her, also. Levi and Luke played all evening wrestling and tussling with each other. Susu (which is Gail’s mother) came over that evening and Levi kept running outside telling her bye and that he loved her. After we had eaten supper that night, Levi pointed to the telephone and said Mawmaw (which is Chris’ mother). Levi wanted to call and talk to her so we called and handed Levi the phone. Levi talked to her for a few seconds and then told her that he loved her and then he said bye bye. Around 8pm, Levi was getting sleepy so we put him to bed and he told us all night night and that he loved us. Levi did not wake up the following morning, March 7, 2013. We believe that Levi said his good byes to those he loved and left us with special memories of his last day.

Our goal now is to continue to spread the light that Levi had shown to those with whom we come in contact by raising awareness about Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC). Our hopes are that one day we will have an answer to what causes SUDC and that we may let Levi’s love and light shine through us. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven” Matthew 5:16

You can also keep up-to-date on Levi’s Light Facebook Page.