Three-year-old Sadie Grace Andrews is being remembered after she tragically died on Saturday outside of an ice cream parlor in Auburn, Alabama. She was playing with her five siblings outside the creamery when she fell into a grease trap and drowned.
Today she’s being remembered for her profound love for God and others.
“She had more faith than any child I’ve ever seen,” Sadie’s mother, Corrie Andrews, tells AL.com. “And I’m not just saying that because she was my child.”
“We know without a shadow of a doubt, our baby is with Jesus,” Corrie added.
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Corrie says that her daughter’s name meant “God’s Thoughtful Princess,” and Sadie was the perfect reflection of just that.
“And she really was that—always expressing gratefulness and love for God and other people. She would light up a room with her smile; she walked with a skip in her step. I’ve never met a more joyful child who loved God with all her heart.”
Sadie’s father, Tracy Andrews, said that he’s grateful for the three years the family got with spend with Sadie, and reflected on the many lessons his daughter was able to teach him about life and love.
“She taught me about being happy and loving life and loving people,” Tracy said. “At 3 years old, there’s no preconceived notions. To her, everybody was good. She didn’t see the bad. She just loved people and it didn’t matter what they did.”
Lance and Kara Latham are the owners of Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, the shop where Sadie tragically drowned on Saturday. They released a Facebook statement on Sunday, extending their deepest condolences for the family’s loss.
“As the owner of the Auburn Bruster’s, our deepest condolences go to the family of the child who tragically died Saturday. They are acquaintances of ours and have been regular customers. We are truly heartbroken that this happened. Our thoughts also are with our young crewmember who tried to revive the child. Like all of us, he is quite shaken. The entire Bruster’s family is horribly saddened by this tragic accident.”
They encouraged others in the community to continue praying for the Andrews family.
Sadie’s uncle, Chad Vermillion, also organized a YouCaring campaign on the family’s behalf.
“The body of Christ is powerful when we act together and if we can help alleviate their burden let’s do so,” Vermillion wrote in the fundraiser’s description. “Above all else, please pray for my dear sister Corrie and brother-in-law Tracy. The pain is insurmountable right now.”
Corrie says God used Sadie the morning that she died, to prepare the mother of six for the grief that lay ahead.
Sadie was attached to a blanket from her grandmother, that she slept with every single night. On Saturday morning though, Sadie put the blanket in a bag and told her mom that she no longer needed it, and wanted to give it away.
“Looking back, it’s as if she knew she wouldn’t need it anymore.”
One thing is certain, Sadie Grace brought more joy to this world in her three short years than many of us can fathom in our entire lifetime. She exuded the love of Jesus, and her family takes comfort in knowing that she is Home with Him now.
Praying for peace that surpasses all understanding, and healing for every single person whose life was touched by this beautiful little angel.
