Jaleah Michelle Bridgewater, infant daughter of LaSonya Bridgewater and Mauricus Haynes, of Brookport, Illinois was born to bloom in heaven at 4:20 am on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Funeral services will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home in Metropolis with Pastor Michael Wade officiating. Burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery on Strawberry Road outside of Brookport.

Jaleah leaves to cherish her memory, her mother, LaSonya Bridgewater; her father, Mauricus Haynes; maternal grandparents, Gloria Scott and Hence Pitman III; paternal grandmother, Willa Mae Haynes; paternal grandfather, Thomas McCullan; siblings, Robert Bridgewater and Zeniyah Bridgewater; maternal aunts and uncles, Justina Scott Hayes (Roney), Leroy Johnson, Lasheika Williams, Sontarius Williams, Sherman Williams, Jeffrey Williams, Erica Pittman, Daisha Constable (Randy); paternal aunt and uncles, Quiana Haynes, Robert Haynes, Jamale Haynes; great aunt, Diana Cortez Fischer; a host of cousins, great aunts, and great uncles.

Jaleah was welcomed to heaven by her maternal great grandparents, Alberta Jones and Walter Scott; maternal grandfather, Kenneth Daugherty; paternal great grandparents, Frances Noonan and Bobby Lee Hines.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2021 from 12 noon to 1 pm at Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Leroy Johnson and Tony Goss.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com

An Angel Never Dies

Don't let them say I wasn't born,

That something stopped my heart

I felt each tender squeeze you gave,

I've loved you from the start.

Although my body you can't hold,

It doesn't mean I'm gone,

This world was worthy, not of me,

God chose that I move on.

I know the pain that drowns your soul,

What you are forced to face.

You have my word, I'll fill your arms,

Someday we will embrace.

You'll hear that it was "meant to be,

God doesn't make mistakes,"

But that won't  soften your worst blow,

Or make your heart not ache.

I'm watching over all you do,

Another child you'll bear,

Believe me when I say to you,

That I am always there.

There will come a time, I promise you,

When you will hold my hand,

Stroke my face and kiss my lips,

And then you'll understand.

Although I've never breathed your air,

Or gazed into your eyes

That doesn't mean I never "was"

An angel never dies.  -Author Unknown