By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Noah Benjamin Aycoth truly defied the odds and surpassed doctors expectations. When he was born his brain stem did not connect properly and doctors told his parents that he would only live a month.

The doctors told the Aycoths not to bring him home or immerse him into their lives, frankly, to prevent the family from getting too attached.

They didn’t listen, described David Aycoth, Noah’s grandfather. Instead parents Jason and Kimberly Aycoth brought their little guy home.

“They brought him home and he continued to defy the odds,” David said.

David knew his grandson Noah recognized him because he would look right into his eyes and reach out his little hand to touch his grandfather’s face.

Noah did exceed doctors expectations and lived just a few days shy of his second birthday.

“He was a beautiful little boy. He was my heart and soul,” David said.

Noah died Oct. 4 and his family held a memorial and burial Oct. 8.

“It’s been a long ordeal,” David said.

The family, which includes David’s wife, Carol, has really relied on their faith to see them through these last few months.

One day Noah’s heart stopped, just as the doctors had predicted it would.

“All of a sudden that’s exactly what it did,” David said.

The paramedics arrived immediately and were able to get his heart rhythm back, but unfortunately it didn’t hold. Noah died a short time later in his grandfather’s arms.

“He still lives on,” David quickly declared.

As a retired member of the military, David has seen a lot in his travels, but it was different watching his own family go through such a struggle.

“It opened our eyes to the children in hospitals who are sick,” he said.

A good friend of David’s shared that both of his sisters had stillborn children. The women never met their babies.

The friend reminded David that his family was able to make memories with Noah.

Through Noah, many people also came to know Jesus Christ, he said.

The Aycoths loved Noah and wanted to be able to memorialize him through the Christmas Happiness Fund program and help someone else at the holidays.

“It reminds you there are so many people you have no idea what they are going through,” he said.

“He’ll be in our hearts,” David said of Noah.

The Christmas Happiness Fund is a Salisbury Post-sponsored program that gives those in the community the opportunity to give contributions to area families. The eligible families are given vouchers that can be used to buy clothing or toys for their children.

Each donation is noted in a Post article in memory or in honor of someone.

Bring contributions to the Salisbury Post, 131 W. Innes St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or mail them to The Salisbury Post Christmas Happiness Fund, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, NC 28145-4639.

Make checks payable to the Christmas Happiness Fund and indicate how you wish your donations to be listed.

Today’s contributions are:

• Russ Coile    $50
• Given in loving memory of our beautiful two-year old grandson Noah Benjamin Aycoth. He will forever remain in our hearts! by Grandparents David and Carol Aycoth  $100
• In memory of Clifford Ray and Wilbert and Pearl Kluttz Lyerly. In honor of Wilbert and Carolyn Lyerly by Jean L Ray  $300
• In memory of Jim Sechler and Howard and Edith Weddington. In honor of Jennifer, John and Jacob Nicholson and Brenda and Mike Bassinger by Cathey Sechler  $125
• In honor of our friends and neighbors in Milford Hills by Chuck and Liz Friedrich  $250
• In memory of Dr. R. Gordon Senter by R. Ann Martin  $25
• In memory of Alicia Corriher by R. Ann Martin  $25
• In memory of Jack Hodges by Bill and Belinda Reid  $25
• In loving memory of Rovie Williams by his family   $100
• In memory of Meredith Hylton by Bill and Nancy Hylton  $50
• In honor of Rowan County Rescue Squad by Brenda Raney  $100
• In memory of my dear wife Jane by Tom Monroe  $50
• In loving memory of Robert “Bob” Parks by Betty Parks  $50
• In honor of Alice Mitchell by The Rowan County Senior Democrats  $100
• In loving memory of Bettie Harrington Fesperman. Bettie, you are so missed by everyone who knew you and loved you. We so miss having you with us on our “Girls Nights,” trips/dinners/parties/shopping, you will always be with us, until we meet again sweet friend! by “Girls Night Gals”  $100
• In memory of Eric Stephen Brooks by Frankie and Joyce Adams and family  $100
• In honor of Debbie Suggs by St. Matthews Friendship Club  $40
• In loving memory of my father Walter Wise by Patricia Herman  $100
• In memory of Rev. James R. Faggart and Fran Faggart by Glenda and Woody Campbell  $100
• In memory of Grandma Wilson and Grandma Graves by the family  $35
• In memory of C. A. “Red” Castor by Phyl Castor  $100
• In memory of Harry C. Troutman Jr. by Nancy Troutman  $50
• In memory of Grady Howard by Barbara Howard  $100
• In honor of our S. S. Teacher, John Wyatt by Adult Sunday School Class Providence U. M. Church  $100
• In memory of Betty Snider, Lawrence and Mae Snider, Jim Snider by Gene Snider  $100
• In memory of our parents Maisie and James McAllister and Vivian and Stanley Rice  by James and Jacque Rice  $100
• In honor of our 97-year-old Granny, Elizabeth B. Miller by Brenna, Sophie and Martha Miller  $25
• In memory of Jean Menius, Annie Harrison, Dot Leonard, Doris Hysinger, Perry Lambert, Maxine Everett, Barbara Basinger, Alma Misenheimer, Nicki Holt, Grace Miller and Ida Lee Arey by Wachovia Retired Women  $50
• In honor of our grandchildren: Elise Bost, Thomas Bost, Bailey Bost, Reagan Bost and Brandon Blackburn by Ba Noi (Lang Bost) and Ong Noi (Lanny Bost)  $100
• In memory of my sister Jamie Paulette Bost by Lang and Lanny Bost  $50

Total  $2,600

Running Total  $30,872.57

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