Rachelle Lynette Hartley, 21

Rachelle Lynette Hartley went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Feb. 7 at 5:05 p.m. She had been suffering from pneumonia and other complications for several weeks. Her immediate family and intimate friends were present with her as she was carried into her father’s embrace.

    Rachelle was born on Jan. 9, 1989, in Chicago, Ill. She began having seizures at the age of eight months for no apparent reason, followed by a profound change in personality and delayed development. She was later diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder affecting one in every 15,000 live female births. She had retained a psychological age of approximately eight months for the remainder of her life.

    At various seasons in her life Rachelle participated in family vacations, equestrian therapy and summer camps. She actively attended church with her family and attended public schools until receiving a graduation diploma in May of 2009. She enjoyed music, holding hands, massage therapy and being talked to. Rachelle will be remembered for her sweet demeanor, her love of feeling with her hands and her joy in being engaged face-to-face with her family and friends.

    Rachelle will be missed by her grandfather Wayne Jostes of Indianola; her grandmother Nancy Hartley of Glenwood; her parents Duane and Sherri Hartley of Rockwall, Texas; her brothers Aaron of Tyler, Texas; Nathan and Brandon of Rockwall; as well as numerous family members and friends.