Emily Paige Korff

Our loving and precious Daughter, Sister, and Granddaughter, Emily Paige Korff, 26 years old, passed away on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, after an 11-year long battle with Gastroparesis, SMA Syndrome, and Calcium Channelopathy.

She is survived by her Parents, Bob and Debbie Korff and her Sister, Ashley Korff of Poquoson, Virginia; and her Grandpa, Curtis Korff of Tonawanda, New York; Randy Lawhon; Selina Lawhon; Dawson and Morgan Lawhon of Virginia; Pam, Bryan and Tim Korff; Rick Korff; Dan, Anita, Danny and Luke Korff; Chuck, Justin, C.J. and Jeff Korff; Sharon, James, Ann and Kate Brennan of New York; many extended relatives of North Carolina and her very special friend, Tyler Clifton. She is also survived by her cat, Molly Midnight; her dog, Parker Perry; and her bunny, Timothy James.

Emily was preceded in death by her Grandma, Ann Korff of Tonawanda, New York; her Memaw and Papaw, Barbara and Ed Lawhon of Hampton, Virginia. She is preceded in death by her dog, Cooper Dakota; her bird, Lulu and her fish, Stevie.

Emily was best known for her larger-than-life attitude; playing baseball; being a Jeff Gordon fan; watching Storm Stories on The Weather Channel; being a competitive horseback rider; spending time with her pets; feeding the wild birds; fishing at her Grandparents’ cottage at Silver Lake in Perry, New York; being a Master Gardener, as well as an accomplished Naturalist and Nature Photographer. She was an outstanding student who was loved by all her Teachers. Even after Emily’s illnesses began, Emily graduated with Honors from Poquoson High School in 2015 and wanted to become a Kindergarten Teacher or a NASCAR Driver when she grew up.

“Do not grieve for me for I am free.

I am traveling a path that the Lord has taken me.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow.

Perhaps my time seemed too brief.

Do not lengthened it with undue grief.

Lift your hearts and share with me the memories that will always be.”

Unknown Author

We would like to thank the following Physicians and nurses for their outstanding and compassionate care: Dr. John Kessler of the Virginia Oncology; Dr. Steven Teich of the Levine’s Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, NC; Dr. Leonardo Kapural of Carolinas Pain Institute of Wake Forest University; and Dr. Thomas Abell of the GI Motility Clinic of the University of Louisville Medical School; the nurses at Virginia Oncology, Riverside, Sentara, and Levine’s Children’s Hospital.

A private service and interment will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at St. Luke’s Historic Church in Smithfield, VA. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Luke’s Historic Church and Museum Educational Program in Emily Korff’s name, or we ask that you plant a tree in Emily’s honor.