Yulissa Itzel Epting

Princess Tootie was born to her earthly stewards, John and Llaby Epting on August 12, 2006 in Virginia Beach, VA. Her parents did well to bring her up in the fear and admonition of the Lord from a very young age. She gave her life to Christ at the age of four, the very moment she was able to understand such a commitment. She could recite the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and knew how to encourage others with her stunning eyes, gorgeous smile, warm hugs, princess dress-up shows, and McDonald’s Kitchen cooking skills. She was especially known for the imaginative tea parties she held and the lemonade she made for her guests.

Even at a young age, Princess Tootie was on fire for the Lord, attempting to win her friends over to Christ and speaking boldly about her love for Him. Her culminating impact was seen in her final 50 days with us on earth. On the day she was admitted into the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), there were 12 other young patients admitted. Llaby made a promise to the other mothers that they’d all leave PICU together and healed. After seven weeks in bed seven, Princess Yulissa saw her mission to completion, seeing all of the other children leave PICU alive and well. On the 50th day, she was the last child to leave healed and went home with her Heavenly Father. In true princess fashion, she departed us wearing her Sleeping Beauty gown and a pink tiara.

Princess Tootie’s impact is yet to be fully realized, but its depth, as with God’s power, is undeniable. As a result of her and her parents’ faithfulness, God was able to move in countless lives, causing reconciliation in relationships, rededications to Christ and commitments to Christ by so many. She lived for only a while here in this existence, but her life will have an everlasting effect both in this world and the next. Though she will be missed, we celebrate her finished work on earth and her Homegoing into eternal rest and comfort with “Daddy Jesus.”

Princess Yulissa was preceded in everlasting life by her big brother Josiah Carlos Epting, with whom she is dancing and laughing now, and her great-grandmother Tomasa Aparacio who departed on her first day at CHKD. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving parents, John Jr and Llaby Epting, her big sisters Princesses Yesenia Epting and Brionne Epting, her grandparents John Epting Sr. and Dorothy Epting, and George and Aidee Alves, and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, and extended family.

Our family will receive friends on Friday, April 6, 2012 from 6 to 8pm at Rosewood Kellum Funeral Home at 601 N Witchduck Rd in Virginia Beach.

A celebration of Princess Yulissa Itzel “Tootie” Epting’s life will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2012, 1pm at Calvary Revival Church – Chesapeake at 740 Great Bridge Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, the parents ask that donations be made to a Remembrance Fund in honor of Princess Yulissa. Funds will assist the family and will be given to Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, who took tremendous care of Princess Tootie during her stay, and Ronald McDonald House, who assisted the parents as they stayed by their daughter. Donations may be made through Paypal using [email protected], or through Bank of America either in person or online, using acct #435028928726; the account is in John Epting’s name.