Anayeli Mercedes Waits

Anayeli Mercedes Waits “Mercedes”

Mercedes left this life gently, blessed to avoid a long struggle so many endure. Her passing was unexpected and painful for those of us who love her, but God was not surprised, having blessed her with many wonderful victories over the last half year. She had completed benchmark classes with high marks in preparation for nursing school application, excited to realize she really could fulfill a dream of joining her two sibling nurses and dad, looking forward to being four nurses strong together at the same hospital. Mercedes had also advanced in retail, earning respect as a dependable employee with strong potential as management, being assigned progressively more key responsibilities and being proud of being considered a good member of the Famous Footwear team. She was also a volunteer at her church, showing not only a gift and a blessing with children, trained in caregiving by her many nephews and nieces, but also showing a beautiful grace and love for the children of the church. Not only caring, she also was a strong contributor to the tech/sound team, being a person that quickly demonstrated ability to keep up with fast changing screens. She had recently signed back up for her Camp Gladiator class and was looking forward just in the next week to return to getting her physical strengthening back up to speed. She loved the energy generated by happy people and thrived adding her happiness to reflections of others’ happiness. Mercedes was successfully building the clan position of being that aunt all the kids loved, leaving a hole in each of us she touched and loved. If it were not for the fact that God’s ways are always perfect, we’d wonder why she was called home just when almost every single measurement we’d use to weigh a life pointed to great things ahead. She was a good girl growing into a good woman, avoiding bad choices intentionally. She leaves behind seven siblings, in laws that were siblings to her, nieces and nephews, and parents that long to hug her again. Until we see each other again sweet Mercedes….