Mikayla Jo Salmons' Obituary
Mikayla Jo Salmons 22, of Decatur IL passed away with her loved ones by her side at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St.louis, Mo from complications of Cystic Fibrosis. Mikayla was born Sept 8th, 1998 in Decatur, IL to Jessica McCoy and Russell Salmons. As a child Mikayla was an adventurous tomboy who spent her spare time driving her Barbie Jeep and scavenging for any insects she could find, especially snails. Mikayla loved growing up on the farm with her best friend Gpa Tom. Mikayla had an affinity for making others feel special and you couldn’t help to feel drawn to her. She was a kind hearted, empathetic, and beautiful young woman who never judged. Even in times of her own personal afflictions she had a way uplifting others. She was genuinely selfless. Mikayla spent her free time hanging with friends, reading books, playing her switch, cooking with her mom and no matter her age playing with bugs and snails. She loved reading, Supernatural, Vampire Diaries, and anything Marvel. Mikayla became a tattoo enthusiast and was even featured in Inked magazine while waiting for a double lung transplant. She enjoyed building her tattoo collection and shared a special bond with her tattoo artist, Andrew Burger (slacker). Her inspiring story was well known locally and would encourage others to donate the most precious of gifts, the gift of life though organ donation. Many people chose organ donation because of Mikayla’s story. In 2017 Mikayla received her gift of life, a double lung transplant that would extend her life and give her quailty of life she had not experienced in many years. All though not nearly enough time, she spent the next 3 years living her life to the fullest, never taking a moment or a breath for granted. Mikayla and her mother share an amazing bond that’s indescribable and unbreakable. Being told they looked like “twins” or “sisters” everywhere they went was a daily occurrence. Mikayla loved her family very much especially her dad Russell Salmons and step dad William fisher in which both shared the love of gaming, movies and just hanging out with her.
Mikayla is survived by her loving mother, Jessica McCoy; adoring father, Russell (Jennifer) Salmons; best friend and step father, William Fisher; step brother and sisters, Jackson, Bailey and Kylie; grandparents, Thomas Salmons "Gpa Tom", grandma Nancy McCoy, grandpa Charles (Cathy) McCoy, great-grandma Helen McCoy; uncles Jeremy (Stevie) Bobbitt, Connor McCoy, Anthony (Misty) Salmons, Neil (Janet) Salmons, Robert (Julie) Salmons; aunts, Breanna McCoy, Selena (Tom) Quimby, Trina (Chris) Hiber and Rashelle (Frank) Fisher; many cousins she grew up with especially special cousin Shayla Salmons who was more like a big sister; and her best friend Haley Tripp; Many close friends from childhood to now that meant the world to her even if she wasn’t the best at socializing. Mikayla is proceeded in death by her Grandma Linda Salmons and Great Grandpa Charles McCoy. Special thanks to Dr. Davidson and his CF team especially Nurse Kristen Keift, Barnes-Jewish hospital and the transplant team. Mikayla will be greatly missed by many. Please think about becoming an organ donor.
Services to celebrate the life of Mikayla will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, October 3, 2020, at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Facial masks are required.
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