Nikole “Nikki” Grace Heileman was granted her angel wings on February 21, 2015 following a very brave battle with pneumonia. She was surrounded by her family that loved her dearly and Nikki gave more joy to them than words can ever express.
Nikki’s amazing smile could melt the hearts of those around her and though she never spoke a word, her voice and thoughts could always be heard. Nikki loved music, the Wizard of Oz, being rocked and snuggled, the chaos of her family’s noisy house with barking dogs, her loud brother and the laughter of her family and nurses. She was truly the princess of the house.
We will miss Nikki every day, especially her bright smile. She will forever be a part of our hearts. Nikki was a bright light for those of us privileged enough to care for her. We have wonderful memories of Nikki and we are all so blessed to have been her family and caregivers.
Nikki leaves behind many wonderful caregivers who provided her so much love that enhanced her quality of life. Nikki loved her amazing nurses, Vaughn, Amy, Suzanne, Jami, Renee, Shawna, Charlotte, Kassidy, Villard, Tommy, Tristan, and Leah. There is a special place in our hearts for Dr. Robert Lillard because of his continual dedication to Nikki.
Nikki is survived by her loving parents, Steven and Sherri Heileman; sisters Lexi Headen, Kaitlynn Heileman, Gabbi Heileman, Anna Heileman, brother Charlie Heileman; birth parents Hathi Thu Duong and Nguyen Ngon Tuan and brothers Michael Duong and Alex Duong; maternal grandmother Lois Esparza of Franklin, TN, maternal grandparents Ralph and Kay Beals of Bradenton, FL, paternal grandparents David and Joan Heileman of Maitland, FL. and many wonderful aunts and uncles and 15 cousins. Nikki was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather John Esparza.
Memorials may be made to the Tennessee Baptist Children's Home, P.O. Box 2206, Brentwood, TN 37024 (they are the agency that placed Nikki in our care when she was seven months old) or Samaritan's Purse at http://www.samaritanspurse.org/.
Funeral services will be conducted 3:00PM Sunday, March 1, 2015 at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Williamson Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at Williamson Memorial.