"It's a girl!" was mowed in the lawn of her proud parents when Hope Alyssa Dollarhide was born on July 30, 1998. Chad Eric and Bridget Leigh Dollarhide were overjoyed with their first child.

Growing up in Blackwell, Oklahoma, Hope is survived at home by her parents and her brothers, Drew Ryan, eight, and Kyle Adam, five. Her "honorary sisters", cousins, Faith, Lydia and Emily Ashford brought more love and joy to her brief but full life. When two year old Owen came along, he became her "honorary little brother."

What can you say about a child of thirteen (barely) who has lived with a rare cancer six of those years? She filled them with overflowing life!

From age five, she aspired to be an OU (that's Oklahoma University) cheerleader. She began TNT cheer and tumbling at age four and it was a great fit for her. Though surgeries limited her gymnastics, she continued to cheer and compete. One of her most exciting accomplishments was making the BMS Cheer Squad and going to camp this summer.

Hope developed her artistic abilities in times when her body was too tired or she was doing hospital time. Whether painting, cake decorating, crafts or cooking, she put her heart into it and excelled.

She was funny and liked to make people laugh! She loved music, spending time with family and friends, having cook-outs and playing cards.

Her church (First Christian Church) and membership in the Youth Group was where she wanted to be when she was able. Helping with VBS in crafts, special artwork and music was a gift she gave her aunt this July.

Mature beyond her years, Hope radiated self-assurance and confidence coming from the inner strength of a personal relationship with Jesus. She knew who she was and that she only had to be who GOD created her to be – with or without hair. Her parents loved her so much, they understood her need to experience life as a growing, giggling girl. She grew to be a perfect example of 1 Timothy 4:12.

To say she will be missed is an understatement. But like her name, we carry the "Hope" of God's promise and we will meet her in heaven. Her dad and mom, Chad and Bridget, and brothers, Drew and Kyle, will always feel the loss.

"Papa" Bob Niles; Uncle Sam and Aunt Heidi Ashford – cousins, Faith, Hope, Lydia, and Owen; Aunt Heather Niles; Great Uncle Mike and Aunt Marsha Briggs; Grandpa Bob Dollarhide and Kathern Dollarhide; Uncles Bob Jr. and James Dollarhide; cousins, Haleigh and Christian; Uncle Damon and Aunt Michelle (Dollarhide) Brecheisen; and cousins, Tanner, Mikhaila and Shayna; and "honorary aunt" Laurie Burks, survive her.

She was preceded in death by her "Nanny" Karen Niles and Uncle Brian Dollarhide.

Thank you to her doctors and nurses here in Blackwell and at OU Children's Hospital. We would be honored for you to contribute to her memorial fund with gifts to the "Child Life Program at OU Children's Hospital" in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.

Honorary Casketbearers will be Larry Cannon, Frank Dyer, Wayne Whittington, Mike Briggs, Terryl Willbanks, Fred LeValley, JoDel Shepherd, Nate McLain, Paul Michael, Wes Childers, Walter Eaton and Pastor Jeff Koch.

Casketbearers will be Damon Brecheisen, Tanner Brecheisen, Ryan Godbehere, Sam Ashford, James Dollarhide and Bob Dollarhide, Jr.

Services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at the First Christian Church, Blackwell with Pastor Jeff Koch officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.