Dana Sewell

Dana Sewell, 55, a 53-year resident of Oxford, died of cancer on Christmas Eve at 8:11 pm, Friday, December 24, 2021 at Grandview Hospital in Birmingham surrounded by her immediate family and loved ones. Dana was born in Ft. Benning, Georgia on February 26, 1966. She was the youngest of four siblings and grew up on Boozer Drive in the Cheaha Acre 1 neighborhood of Oxford, Alabama in her family home with her mother, Elfriede "Nana" Magouirk, her father, William J Magouirk, a brother, Andre and two sisters, Belinda and Tracy. After attending and graduating from Oxford High School in 1984, Dana took a job and continued her life journey when she met her future husband, Terry Sewell. They have been married since February 26, 1989 and sweethearts since 1986. Dana and Terry owned and operated their own transportation and delivery business and spent many years driving and delivering while traveling around the United States. All this traveling made Dana come to appreciate her home even more than she already did. She loved being at home and enjoyed spending quality time in her garden, riding her golf cart and walking throughout their land enjoying God's creations. Dana is survived by her loving husband, Terry, her stepdaughter, Pam (Tim) Jones and their children, Whitney, Jeremy, and Haley as well as one great grandchild, Piper. She is also survived by a Brother-In-Law, Tracy "Trace" Sewell and a Sister-In-Law, Lisa (Richard) Scheels and their children, Kaitlin, Lauren, and Brian. Dana was predeceased by her father, William J Magouirk and survived by her beloved Mother, Elfriede Magouirk; her siblings: Belinda (Walter) Rush, Andre (Debbie) Magouirk, Tracy (Jeff) Cornett; her cherished nieces and nephews: Brittney (Seth) Underwood, Destin (Reid) Pearson, Tori (Blake) May, Nicole (Aziz) El Marzouqy, Morgan (Alex) Lopez, Jackson Guthrie, Jerod Guthrie, Natalie Magouirk, Nathaniel Magouirk, Tess Thompson, her precious great nieces and nephews; Lawson, Caden, William, Anna Kate, Colin, Blakely, Madelin, Walker, Maci and Miles... and many other relatives too numerous to list. Dana loved her family and was so family-oriented she naturally took on the role of a second mom to all her nieces and nephews. Every part of their childhood was interwoven with such fun and loving memories spent with her and Terry, always creating the perfect environment for them to have sleepovers, go on trips and create beautiful memories together, sealing a family bond that will always live on in their hearts. Every birthday, graduation, shower, marriage, and birth were important to her, and she made sure she was in attendance to all. She was extremely proud of each one of them and made sure they each knew she loved them. She also attended every extended family beach trip and over the years there were many. One of the most memorable family beach trips happened in 2018 for Nana's 80th birthday – where we surprised Nana. It was a wonderful time together. Dana also loved nature and animals; she had many dogs and several birds. She enjoyed NASCAR and short tract car racing, a significant part of her life, especially because Terry drove in the short track arena for over 20+ years. Dana loved fast cars; but most of all, Dana loved Jesus. She knew if she was not healed here that she was headed to heaven. As things unfolded, we can now see sometimes when we thought we were taking care of her, she was actually taking care of us... making sure we continue to love and take care of one another. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13: 34-35 One of Dana's gifts was her ability to love people so deeply. She sprinkled "Pure Love" wherever she went and was truly gentle and kind to everyone she met and especially to her family tribe. Her home was a peaceful refuge to many who enjoyed her and Terry's open door. She always looked for the best in everyone she met. Dana was a sweet soul that loved so hard, so much and made an impact in the world with her family and friends. Even until the end, her presence made a difference to the individuals who had just met her. Not Perfection but PURE LOVE. Spiritually Speaking, God's Holy Spirit Presence and Glory was instrumental in helping our family usher Dana into Christ's Loving Arms and God's Glorious Kingdom of Heaven. We were believing in an earthly healing, but God had a higher, more divine purpose and needed her with Him. She will be greatly missed but never forgotten. “He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.” Isaiah 40:11 Dana's life shone bright and illuminated God's Love by a united family tribe, a restored family, supportive friends and strangers, a church and faithful members, as well as many of the staff members in the Grandview Cancer Center, Grandview Hospital 9th Floor Staff and especially all who entered Room 919. All her family and friends filed in and out of that room (for three solid weeks) – filling her with food, draped over her in prayer, crying, reminiscing and rejoicing, escorting and walking with her, reading and meditating until the pain lowered, reading God's Word (especially Psalm 91) taking communion, laughing and singing everything from praise songs to Freebird. Dana loved southern rock music. Dana most notably loved Christmas. Everyone showered her with Christmas ornaments for the small tree sitting in the window by the illuminated glass angel given to her by her mom. Handmade pictures, framed photos, flowers, cards, jewelry, clothing, anointing oils, lotions and anything the tribe could think of to show her how much she was loved and appreciated lined the hospital room. Even the smallest members of the tribe sent her videos of love and greeting or facetimed with her. She cherished all these prayers, calls, texts, videos, and facetimes, as well as the gifts of time and visits she received. She told us how lucky she was and how loved she felt. She was so compassionate even in her extreme pain she made sure she said “I love you” to each person who helped care for her and every tribe member. As she made her rounds walking the 9th floor, as we passed each room we would pray for God to help and heal every one of the patients. And when she could not walk we would pray out loud the room numbers from 901-950. Yes, being so tender can and did hurt but it did not stop her from loving and expressing mercy anyways; she learned how to forgive and gave out that forgiveness too. This is a big lesson for us all... without forgiveness and mercy we will be consumed and destroyed. Habakkuk 3:19, The Lord God is my strength, my source of courage, my invincible army; He has made my feet steady and sure like hinds’ feet. And makes me walk forward with spiritual confidence on my high places of challenge and responsibility. The troubled times of life may actually be the “high places” of spiritual growth for the believer who remains stable when tested by God. Dana passed the test; now it is time for each one of us to pass it too. He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15 So we sing... “Go Tell it on the Mountain, over the hills and everywhere! Go tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born!” “Go Tell it on the Mountain, That Jesus Christ is Lord!” Thank you and may God bless each of the family members, friends, neighbors and others that provided food, prayers, calls, texts and support to Dana and Terry throughout Dana's entire battle. Thanks is not enough to express the overwhelming love and support the family felt behind the scenes from the spouses and other family members who watched the children, cooked and cleaned, washed clothes and provided car rides to and from the hospital. This holding down the fort allowed mom and others to decorate Dana and Terry’s Christmas tree at home which made Dana’s eyes light up when she saw the pictures. All these acts of service and sacrifice were so precious. Every one of them made such an impact in the Kingdom of God too. Dana fought hard and never lost her faith; her life was her testimony. Even as Dana left this place…God revealed to us in the hospital the score is: "God - Won; Satan - Zero"! Thanks to the staff of the Grandview Cancer Center and The Grandview Hospital 9th Floor; thank you for your warm heartfelt hugs, prayers, and gifts. Your genuine love was felt, received and appreciated. May God multiply you and your family’s blessings. Thank you to Miller Funeral Home & Crematory in Oxford, Alabama. Thank you for your sympathetic and professional direction in the process. We appreciate your kindness and guidance that helped us to honor Dana. Special thanks to Mark Deason Ministries of Sylacauga, Alabama, Pastor Mark Deason and especially Kay and Jerry Nix & family for adopting Dana into your church family and for her anointed blanket she treasured, the YouTube video encouragement and services but most especially for your prayers, scripture texts and divine friendships. You will always be a member of this tribe. God is using your ministry and your members in a big way. You are making a big impact for the Kingdom. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit feel welcomed there at Estelle TV. A private memorial ceremony will be held in celebration of Dana's life on her birthday/anniversary February 26, 2022. In lieu of flowers and honor of Dana's love for children please send donations to bigoak.org/donate/. Information to include in donation…. In Memory of: Dana Sewell, Mail to: Terry Sewell, PO Box 7025, Oxford, AL 36203.

Tributes

Dana Sewell

February 26, 1966 - December 24, 2021