VALLEY MILLS, Texas — Lily Mae Avant contracted a rare brain eating amoeba while swimming in the Brazos River earlier this month.
Avant's family said Lily started feeling sick on Sept. 8th, eventually being airlifted to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth. Lily died on Sept. 16th.
In a Facebook group focusing on Lily's Journey, a community member organized a prayer vigil and bubble release to honor her memory.
The vigil was held in Santa Fe Park in Valley Mills.
Attendees were asked to place little blue bows all over the area.
"It breaks my heart my heart goes out to them" community member, Tammy Stuart said. "We'll pull together we'll get through but we got lily that's watching down on all of us."
Funeral information below: