GORDO – At Duke University Hospital on March 17, 2017, held in her mother's arms and surrounded by her family and friends, Elizabeth Scott Hankins, ""Libby"", age 23, ran straight into the arms of God.
Eleven months earlier to the day, Libby had received a double lung transplant due to Cystic Fibrosis. We are forever grateful to her donor who gave us this precious additional time to love and be loved by Libby. It would be her greatest desire for others to consider organ donation as a final act of the truest love possible.
Although our hearts are broken, we know that Libby received her miracle and we thank all of the thousands of ""Lungs for Libby"" supporters who have so faithfully loved and supported our girl. We asked for prayers for a miracle and we know our precious girl received hers.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. today, March 22, 2017, at Gordo High School Football Stadium with Rev. Nancy Cole and Rev. Shawn McDaniel officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the stadium.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, David and June Hankins.
Survivors include her father, Scott Hankins and wife, Tane of Carrollton, Ala.; mother, Susan Estes and husband, Bill of Gordo, Ala.; step brother, Jason Estes (Alisa) of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; step sisters, Christy Westbrook (Joey) of Fosters, Ala., Lauren Hinton (Jason) of Northport, Ala. and Melissa Springer (Adam) of Northport, Ala.; uncles and aunts, Ricky Hankins (Pam) of Aliceville, Ala.; step brother, Jay Pate of Brookhaven, Miss. and Gina Phillips (Kevin) of Columbus, Miss.; and grandparents, Jack and Bobbie Pate of Gordo, Ala.
Libby was born June 16, 1993 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She lived life more fully and joyfully than most could ever imagine. Diagnosed at the age of two with Cystic Fibrosis, she was as familiar with hospitals as her home, but wherever she was, she filled it with happiness.
Libby was a true ""bloom where you are planted"" girl who fought CF daily to have a life full of all that she loved.
She was a member of Elmore Center United Methodist Church, a Gordo High School cheerleader and Homecoming Queen, a University of West Alabama cheerleader (captain for two years), UWA Ambassador and Homecoming Queen, member of Phi Mu Sorority, Bryant Jordan Scholarship recipient, 2015 Special Achievement Award recipient from the Town of Gordo, Order of Omega, Who's Who and Omicron Delta Kappa.
Libby was 50 days away from graduating from UWA with a degree in special education.
Pallbearers will be Kevin Campbell, Daniel Manning, Drew Patterson, Jeromy Shaw, Cameron Sanders, Jeffrey Campbell, Tanner Skelton, Dalen Mullenix, Tanner Mullenix, Alex Phillips and Jay Pate.
Honorary pallbearers are the faculty and staff of Gordo High School and Gordo Elementary School, Gordo High School Class of 2011, Duke Health Transplant Department and staff of MICU, former and present University of West Alabama Cheerleaders, Dr. Haney, Dr. Barkaukas, Dr. Reynolds, Dr. Baker and Dr. Messina - Duke Health, Dr. Hoover, Dr. Lyrene, Dr. Makrus, Dr. Troxler, Dr. Lazono, Dr. Guiterrez, staff of five tower, staff of ten Quarterback - Childrens, Dr. Solomon - UAB, her University of West Alabama family, Lungs for Libby volunteers and supporters, Donnie and Josh Crowe and staff of Tuscaloosa Chevrolet, Phifer, Inc., sisters of Phi Mu, April and Shawn McDaniel, Town of Gordo and community, Laurel and Jeff Campbell, Lewis and Marilyn Elmore, Mitch and Kim Dyer, Carole and Jeff Campbell and Charles and Robin Elmore.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the Gordo Green Wave coaches and team, Gordo High School students and faculty and Gordo friends who worked diligently and tirelessly to prepare the field for Libby.
Flowers are more than welcome or donations may be made to the CF Foundation, No Greater Love Animal Rescue, Tuscaloosa or Rise Center, Tuscaloosa.