Ava Hope Williams, age 16, of Munford, AL, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026, at home surrounded by those who love her. A funeral ceremony will be held in her honor at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega with John Elston officiating. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:30 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. prior to the service.

Born on March 03, 2010, Ava came into this world with a fight and will to live unlike anything we have ever seen. Ava was diagnosed with a non-curable genetic disorder called NKH at 8 days old. Doctors said if she made it past 2 weeks her family would be lucky to get 2 years. Ava would show them differently as she fought hard for 16 years with grace, resilience, determination and strength. Ava came with a whole lot of sass and attitude and was never afraid of giving us “that side eye.” Ava didn’t smile often but when she did it was the smile of a true fighter that would take your breath away. Ava loved all things Disney, especially her movies: Frozen, Finding Nemo, and Moana, and she recently fell in love with Young Sheldon just to name a few. Ava loved going to school where she would thrive like we had never seen. Ava attended Munford High School where she would have been in the 11th grade for 2026-2027 school year. Ava loved her Nurse Ashley and Nurse Jennifer even on the days she gave them nothing but attitude and maybe a few mild heart attacks. Ava loved being picked up from school early by her sisters, Jaydie and Gracie, especially when she got to go to Starbucks and her momma’s job. She loved riding in her brother, Braedyn’s, truck with the windows down, hair blowing in the wind, music turned up, and him revving his motor. Ava always knew when he was pulling up, and he made sure of that. Ava loved being with her family and going on many adventures throughout her life more than anything.

Ava is survived by her parents, Nina and Justin Moxley; father, Stevie Williams; siblings, Gracie Funderburg (Vontee), Jaydie Williams (Josiah), Braedyn Williams, Asher Moxley, Maverick Moxley and Charleigh Moxley; nephew, Kaycen Jai Kimbrough; nephew to be born later this year, Jru Tate Funderburg; “Meme”, Penny Smith; “Pawpaw”, Terry Gallahair; grandparents, Cathy and Jeffery Moxley; aunts and uncles, Amy and Michael Lee, TJ and Tiffany Gallahair, Justin Gallahair, Emery Smith and Peyton Smith; best friend, Harper Gallahair, and many cousins and cherished loved ones.

Ava is preceded in death by hundreds and hundreds of bumblebees across the world who were fighters just like her. The bumblebee was adapted as the logo for NKH because bumblebees were created unable to fly but flew anyway. NKH Families across the world were told that our babies wouldn’t live, but they did.

Though Ava’s life here was way too short, her family finds comfort in knowing that she no longer has to fight every day for life that so many take for granted. She is walking free without any limitations. We without a doubt know that Ava’s looking down from heaven giving us a whole lot of sass, attitude and that “side eye.” Ava will be deeply missed by everyone that loved her. Forever our Ava Girl. Forever our real-life hero. Forever our “Sissy”.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made to the NKH Crusaders so that there can be better treatments and one day, a cure so no child has to lose their life to NKH. Donations to NKH Crusaders can be made online at www.nkhcrusaders.com or by mail at 122 Biscayne Ave, Weymouth, MA 02188.

Online condolences may be offered at www.usreyfuneralhome.com.

Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega is directing the services.