In Loving Memory Of
Emma Sophia Rader
Falling Waters, West Virginia
April 14, 2009-February 11, 2017

Emma Sophia Rader, age 7, of Falling Waters, West Virginia, passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at the Hospice of the Panhandle Inpatient Facility surrounded by her friends and family. Emma passed peacefully in her father's arms, surrounded by the love of her family, while outside in the bright sunshine and listening to the waterfalls.

Born April 14, 2009 in Rockville, Maryland, Emma is the daughter of Mark Joseph and Julia Sybrant Rader. Emma’s greatest joy was spending time with her family. She loved cheering on her brother and sister, Ryan and Sarah, at their TCSC soccer games, and watching her sister Kaitlyn cheer at Spring Mills High School games. Emma loved music; her favorite songs were Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Brahms’ Lullaby, and she always enjoyed listening to her brother and sisters play her favorite songs on the violin. Emma also loved riding horses at Horses with Hearts, where she began riding at the age of three.

Emma attended Berkeley Heights Elementary School and enjoyed spending time with her favorite teacher, Miss Emma Holland, and her extraordinary classmates and friends. Emma enjoyed swimming, going on long walks along the C&O Canal, and playing with her two puppies Bella and Bailey. She also loved to read stories - her favorite books were Goodnight Moon and Counting Kisses. True to her great love for horses, Emma’s favorite movie was Secretariat, which she liked to watch with her Grandma. Emma also enjoyed trips with her extended family to Bethany Beach, the Outer Banks, and Deep Creek Lake. Emma’s favorite trip was a recent trip to Key Largo, Florida, where she swam with the dolphins.

In addition to her parents, Emma is survived by her brother, Ryan; two sisters, Kaitlyn and Sarah; grandfather and grandmother Rawligh and Roberta Sybrant; aunts, Shirley Griffin and Leah Sybrant, uncles, Thomas Sybrant,Steven Rader and Joseph Griffin; and several cousins including Patrick, Michael, Grace, Calista, Brandon, and Colton. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Sandra Rader. Emma was embraced with the greatest love of her family and by the protective, loving, and unbreakable bond of her siblings.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, March 9 from 6:00-8:00pm at Brown Funeral Home in Martinsburg, WV. A Celebration of Life and Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 11 from 12:00-2:00pm at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Martinsburg, WV with Father Eric Hall, celebrant. Burial and Dove Release will take place at 3:00 pm at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Frederick, MD. Pallbearers include Mark Rader, Thomas Sybrant, Patrick Griffin, Mike Carter, Mike Burriss, Dan Weisman, and honorary pallbearer Ryan Rader.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be given in Emma’s honor to her favorite organization, Horses with Hearts, at www.horseswithhearts.com, P.O. Box 2186 Martinsburg, WV 25402. Online condolences may be offered at www.BrownFuneralHomesWV.com.

Emma is remembered with the following letter from her parents:
Emma, you were a perfect, beautiful child born with lots of hair and bright blue eyes. Your first few months were quiet and sweet. We smile at the thought of the first time you sat up, your giggle, and you playing with your favorite toys. We remember peek a boo, "so big", your love of lullabies, and your laugh. We remember how you loved Olivia, the Wiggles, and the adorable "lady bug" you were for your first Halloween. Most vividly, we remember your voice and the sound of your first few words.

Your life was filled with extraordinary blessings. We loved to watch you riding horses, and spending Sunday afternoons swimming with your siblings in the pool. We will treasure our visits to your classroom parties, and our last field trip with you to the pumpkin patch. We remember the precious time we had with family – visits with your grandparents, Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas with Santa, and family trips to the beach, Deep Creek Lake, and Key Largo. Most special of all are the memories of your big birthday celebrations where so many came to celebrate with you, and your huge smile as everyone sang Happy Birthday.

Last year, you made it to seven years old and while you could no longer move across a room, or play with most toys, we want you to know what an amazing child you had become. You were filled with happiness, and joy; incapable of sin. You were so beautiful, precious, innocent, kind, loving, smart, patient, courageous, and funny.... and held a keener understanding of this world than most adults. You were a joy to be around, a gift to hold, and a pleasure to watch as you beamed with love around horses, music, and your classmates. You were a perfect student, a gift to your siblings, and a most amazing angel in this world.

You had grown so tall, with long beautiful hair and even brighter eyes than before. Your smile and laugh were contagious, and you were loved by all who knew you. We were so proud of the mark you made in this world, and have rarely seen someone so remarkable, with such a profound ability to bring out the best in others.

In the end, you were the very definition of "our sweets". A sweet soul, life's greatest joy, and our greatest gift. Thank you for coming, thank you for being here, and thank you for being ours. We love you so very much, our sweet Emma, and we always will. Fly high sweet girl, and until we meet again, may you be embraced by heaven’s lullaby.

With love to our sweet Emma,
Mom & Dad

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