Braylei Shiriaev-Bennett, lovingly known as B; made her sparkling grand entrance into this world on December 22, 2015 as a breath of fresh air we were all desperately needing. We would soon find out that Braylei was the glue to our family.

She was born with a glimmer in her eye and an unquenchable zest for life. From the start, B possessed a Wednesday Addams spirit that was all her own mysterious yet mischievously sweet, witty, and free-spirited that's what makes her truly unforgettable.

As Braylei grew, her love for learning shone brightly, particularly in math where she thrived. In her eyes, each day a new opportunity to learn, teach others, and lead with love. Although her intellectual curiosity didn't stop in the classroom, it poured into the daily teachings of those around her ready to receive her wisdom.

Her sharp intellect was complemented by a spunky personality that drew others to her naturally. If you ever met Braylei you know that it only takes one time meeting someone to change your life. Because meeting Braylei was like finding the missing piece to the jigsaw puzzle that you've been missing all your life. Without knowing it B always had a way of finding her way into your heart.

Dancing and singing were just a few of Braylei's many joys. She moved with the kind of enthusiasm and freedom that reminded everyone around her to cherish the moment and the music.

Braylei's days were often spent with laugher watching her favorite show Bluey, where she quickly realized our real life Heeler Family resemblance and her daily life matched their grand adventures.

Her weekends were filled with the thrill of discovery, whether hunting for treasures at garage sales or exploring craft shows with Mommy and Mamaw; each outing a treasure hunt that fueled her imagination and creativity.

Family game nights, Date nights at Applebee's, food rubs with back scratches, and baking perfect cookies with Mamaw- these were the times when Braylei glowed the brightest, her smile a beacon of warmth and happiness. Hide and seek, and endless rounds of cops and robbers always lead to pillow fights with Dad, who played a convincing Darth Vader. Where wooden spoons aren't just used for cooking they are for chasing papaw bear instead.

Braylei's boundless energy found pleasure in the small, simple things in life- the glimmers of each day. It was in the playground, where swings and slides we were always by your side. It was in jumping on the trampoline with her siblings and uncle, where laughter was the soundtrack of their play. She treasured walks, always on the lookout for brightly painted rocks to add to her collection. Braylei's love for drawing and crafts was fueled by her creativity and her wild imagination.

The relationships Braylei made in life were deep and meaningful, particularly the special bond she shared with her papaw. Their endless conversations ranged from the whimsical to the profound, highlighting Braylei's thoughtful nature and her deep curiosity about the world around her.

Braylei taught us to look for the beauty in the everyday, to face life with courage, and to love without reservation. It was in her tender touch, the way she cared for her beloved babies each one lucky B was their mama.

Her love for unicorns wasn't just a childhood phase, instead it was a reflection of her magical free spirit, and that accompanied with her love for Jesus shaped her belief that miracles can happen; and there is always a "pot of gold" at the end of every rainbow.

Braylei's courage was as immense as her compassionate spirit that shown brightly even as she faced her own battles. She carried a heart so generous that her foremost concern always remained for those around her, demonstrating a strength and selflessness far beyond her years. Her resilience and ability to love so freely were her true superpowers.

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved B, who at the tender age of 8, courageously laid down her wooden spoon and gained her unicorn and angel wings on May 1st 2024.

But this one day did not defy Braylei's life at all, it was merely a moment in her Beautiful life. Braylei's legacy will continue to live on through the hearts of the people she's touched. In hopes that each of those individual's carry on Braylei's kindness for one another, her famous "Do or Do not" attitude towards life, and most of all her love that she thoughtfully placed in the hands of all the people she touched.

Braylei leaves behind her loving family who were privileged enough to have learned life's most important lessons from such a wise young soul, and is currently being embraced by her heavenly family.

Please join us in celebrating Braylei's extraordinary life at Covington Memorial Funeral Home, on Wednesday May 8th 2024, at 1 pm. We ask that you please meet us at the funeral home and we will process to the gazebo together. Visitation will also be held at Covington Memorial, on Tuesday May 7th, 2024 in the gazebo from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm. We ask that if you have any photos of Braylei that you would like to bring to please bring them to the viewing for memory making. The family asks that any flower donations be perennials to be added into her garden and for any memorial contributions to be made out to the family in honor of Braylei for a bench and her burial "apartment".

As Braylei transitions to a place where every day is as magical as she dreamed it could be, we take comfort in knowing that she is dancing among the stars, sliding down rainbow unicorn farts and adding a bit of sparkle wherever she goes. We will forever miss Braylei's beautiful laugh, infectious smile, her wise words, her funny jokes, and sassy sweet personality; but we are eternally grateful for every glimmering moment we shared with our beautiful B in between.