Obituary of Micah N. Gifford

Micah Nathaniel Gifford, 31, of Bulls Head Road, passed into the presence of Jesus on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital. Born in Amsterdam on February 28, 1977, he was the son of Bonnie Pickett Gifford and the late Harold G. Gifford. A lifelong resident of Minaville, Micah was a member of the Florida Reformed Church where he attended Sunday school and sang in both the children's choir and the adult choir. He was most recently a member of the First Baptist Church of Amsterdam where he took great pleasure in welcoming congregants with a warm smile and hearty handshake. He attended local schools and was especially proud when he earned his GED in 1998. Micah was a young man who taught those around him how to face adversity with courage, determination, and humor. Always a "people person", he was happiest in the company of family and friends. All who had the privilege of knowing him will remember his keen wit, and generous heart. We are poorer for the loss of his laughter, his cheerful willingness to lend a hand whenever he could, and his ability to see the beauty and dignity in even the small and damaged things in life. His loving family includes his mother, Bonnie Gifford; two brothers Jacob A. Gifford and his wife Sally and their children, Caleb Joshua and Seth Garret; and Noah A. Gifford, all of the Town of Florida; a sister, LeAnne Lopez-Carlessi and her children, Bryce and Breezy of Altamonte Springs, FL; his maternal grandmother; Fanny Pickett of the Town of Florida; friends Valerie Wildey and her children Ed, Ana and Dresden; aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. In addition to his father, he was predeceased by his sister, Hannah Elizabeth Gifford. Services are Monday at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church, 479 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Sunday from 3 until 7 at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue. Spring interment is in Chuctanunda Cemetery, Minaville. Memorial gifts may be made to the Harold, Hannah, and Micah Gifford Memorial Organ Fund of the Florida Reformed Church, the Town of Florida Volunteer Fire Department or the First Baptist Church, all in care of the funeral home office.