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Tate High Graduate Halee (Boyd) Bush Passes Away From Cancer
October 28, 2015
Tate High School graduate Halee (Boyd) Bush lost her battle with cancer Tuesday. She recently turned 21.
Over the past few years, we ran numerous stories about Halee’s battle with cancer, her never ending will and the community’s love and support for her.
Halee fought Alevola Rhabdomyosarcoma , ARMS for short, a rare cancer of the muscles that are attached to the bones. There are only a few hundred new cases per year in the U.S. The prognosis is usually every poor.
In April 2012 Halee Boyd on top of the world as a junior at Tate High School. She was recently named next year’s Beta Club president, involved with the Interact Club and looking forward to graduation just a year away. She started having severe headaches, followed by blurry and double vision. Within 10 days her right eye was swollen, and the Boyds headed to a hospital emergency room. On April 29, 2012, they learned she had a tumor.
At that point, the hardest part for Halee was not being in her daily routine of school at Tate.
“I miss being in my classes and my teachers and being surrounded by my Tate family, being social and going to events,” Halee said from Shands Children’s Hospital a month after the diagnosis. “I love my school and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I miss my friends, being able to see them every day and talking to them. I miss going out with them, but most of all I miss them being normal because now that I have cancer everything feels different.”
For her 18th birthday, Halee ’s wish to see and meet country star Miranda Lambert in concert in Orange Beach came true, even if she did have to make the trip in an ambulance.
“She’s got a little cancer, y’all, but she’s the strongest girl I’ve ever met. She’s beautiful. She came here, she’s in her hospital bed rockin’ her ass off…there she is,” country star Miranda Lambert said during her concert. She then led thousands in singing to Halee.
“Happy birthday dear Halee; happy birthday to you,” Lambert, the CMA’s female vocalist of the year, sang. “You’re awesome and beautiful…she’s so cool,” she said.
Halee responded with her all so familiar smile.
Tate High School rallied behind Halee, as did the North Escambia community. There were numerous fund raisers and numerous events held for her and her family. She led the Survivor’s Lap at the 2013 Greater Escambia Relay for Life.
She was hospitalized and unable to graduate with her beloved Tate High School Class of 2013. Her classmates all wore gold ribbons in her honor.
In November 2013, the Make-A-Wish Foundation provided Halee and her family with a dream trip to Paris. And in June 2014, she realized her goal of graduating from Tate. In April 2015, she married Sid Bush of Jay.
“It’s about the fight; it’s about never giving up.” — Haylee (Boyd) Bush, Relay For Life at Tate High School, May 3, 2013.
Pictured top left: Halee (Boyd) Bush reacts after learning that she had been presented with a Make-A-Wish Foundation trip to Paris. Pictured top right, top inset and below: Halee celebrating her 18th birthday with country star Miranda Lambert. Pictured bottom inset: Haylee talks about living with cancer during a Relay for Life event at Tate High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
12 Responses to “Tate High Graduate Halee (Boyd) Bush Passes Away From Cancer”
My husband, Corey and I were so honored to video the wedding of Halee and Sidney. We were inspired by her spirit and determination. We were also touched by the unity of family and friends to give the young couple the most perfect day possible.
Please know that you have been in our thoughts and prayers over the last several months.
God Comfort You,
Corey and Nancy Black
I’m so sorry for your loss and God Bless
Such a tough story about a wonderful person.
Sid, our hearts are heavy with the news of this tragic loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers in this most difficult time. Try to stay strong and know that she is in a better place and no longer in any pain. If there’s anything we can do, please don’t hesitate to ask. Whatever you need, we’re here for you and we love you, brother. Rest in peace, Haylee.
My family & have known Sidney Bush for several years. We’ve never seen a young man so happy and over joyed with the love of his life, Haylee. We never had the chance to meet her due to the cancer and the respect of giving her space due to her disease. I will say through Sidney we all fell in love with Haylee. She was and always will be the center of Sidney’s life and family. God brought them two together and He will reunited them again. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with the families of both and the communities back in Florida. Jesus gained a precious soul when He gave Haylee her wings to freedom. She will forever be remembered in the hearts of many. I’ve never seen anyone as strong as Haylee. As for Sidney, please rest assure that your baby has never been more alive than she is know. She has been renewed in the name of Jesus. She will forever smile down on you and be by your side each step of the way. If you need anything please don’t hesitate to give us a call brother. God bless you and may you find peace knowing she is healed by the stripes of Jesus.
Heart broken. A beautiful Angel called to Heaven!!!!!!!!
I went to church with her as a teenager. She sang in the youth band with my sister and I played guitar. I didn’t know her very well but I did know that she was fearless with her faith in God. I pray for comfort for her family and friends, and I rejoice that she is in heaven in perfect health and a crown of glory!
Northescambia, thank you for sharing Halee’s journey. It was with humble hearts in 2013 that we asked Halee to join RFLGE as Honorary Chair. She was a delight and an inspiration to everyone she came in contact with. I still can see her huge smile as she rode in the Jeff Gordon edition car! She’s with angels now…she will be fondly remembered!
What a beautiful young woman. God bless her and her family.
I met Halee one time, and can say first hand that she was a wonderful person. My family and I will be praying for her loved ones in this hard time. God speed.
Halee loved her friends and family and inspired so many with her beautiful, spirit. She loved the Lord Jesus, and today she is perfect, living with her Savior.
To her family and friends…she is in God’s loving arms, free from pain and now the beautiful angel watching over you. God Bless