Brooklyn McKinley Williams

Brooklyn Williams, age 13, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2026, after a courageous 21-month battle with brain cancer. Born on December 22, 2012, Brooklyn brought light, love, laughter, and strength into the lives of everyone who knew her. Throughout her journey, Brooklyn showed extraordinary courage and resilience. Through countless hospital stays, surgeries, treatments, and unimaginable challenges, she continued to fight with a strength far beyond her years. Even on the hardest days, her beautiful smile, laugh, and loving heart touched countless people and left an unforgettable mark on this world. Brooklyn was deeply loved by her family, friends, classmates, medical teams, and community. She will be remembered for her kindness, bravery, and the joy she brought to others simply by being herself. She loved swimming, arts and crafts, spending time with friends, scrolling TikTok, and had a love for Dr Pepper like no other. Her favorite band was ABBA. She also dearly loved her dog, Lola, and her cats, Brownie and Cotton, who brought her comfort and happiness throughout her journey. Despite everything she endured, Brooklyn continued to show incredible strength, courage, and resilience every single day. She was not just a diagnosis or a statistic — she was a daughter, a fighter, a light, and a miracle to all who loved her. She was preceded in death by her great-grandparents, Richard and Alice Toward and Cecil and Margie Wampler; grandparents, Mike and Norma Williams and Jim Davis; her brother, Zachary Breeding; and her cousin, Tyler Williams. Brooklyn is survived by her parents, Matt and Susan Williams; brothers, Payton Breeding and Hayden Williams; grandmother, Jackie Davis; uncles, Michael (Bridget) Williams, Scotty (Melissa) Davis, Tony (Karri) Davis, and Chris (Mandy) Davis; along with a host of cousins, friends, and loved ones who will continue to carry her memory in their hearts forever. Though her time here was far too short, Brooklyn’s life was meaningful, powerful, and deeply impactful. Her courage inspired so many, and her memory will never be forgotten. A celebration of Brooklyn’s life will be held on 30 May 2026 at Gilliams Springs Baptist Church. Arab, Alabama, Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., with the funeral service immediately following. Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel, Directing. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to organizations that supported Brooklyn and our family throughout this journey, including Ronald McDonald House Charities, Smile-A-Mile, Sarah Gayle Gibbs Memorial Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Princess Hailey’s Hope Foundation, Brothers for Life, Roc Solid Foundation, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, or NA Boys. “Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day.”

Brooklyn McKinley Williams

December 22, 2012 - May 21, 2026