On August 1, 2004, the Lord loaned us a beautiful baby girl named Victoria Iviann Knisley, she was born to Michael Knisley and Jaclyn Rutledge. Grandpa Jesse, Grandma Billie, and her older brother Kyler were blessed with Victoria and her baby sister Penny, when they came to live with them in November 2006, in Turpin, Oklahoma. Abby, their little sister came to join the family a year later. Victoria began going to Turpin Public School in 2008. She attended the Turpin United Methodist Church where she loved being with her church family. Victoria loved spending time with her family and friends.
Victoria was diagnosed with a Wilms Tumor (pediatric kidney cancer) on both kidneys in December 2010, when she began her brave journey. She spent almost a year fighting this cancer. Along the way her left kidney was removed, she received numerous rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and had several surgeries. Not to mention coping with all the side effects from chemotherapy. She spent many nights in the hospital and many days on the road getting from home to the hospital and back. On November 10, 2011, Victoria was able to RING THE BELL, receiving a clean bill of health. The time for her being cancer free was short lived. On April 3, 2012, the doctors discovered a mass in Victoria's pelvic area. Victoria being the incredibly brave and strong girl she is said that "everything is going to be okay" when finding out the devastating news from Grandma Billie. She began chemotherapy again on April 13, 2012. Since she has been through this all before she knew what to expect. Three rounds of chemo later and one surgery, she began radiation. Radiation was finished August 9 and on August 26 she told Grandma Billie she needed to go to the OU due to her pain. Between August 27 and August 30, the family was informed that her time would be short. Never once would you see her without a smile on her face. She fought the battle with cancer every step of the way. The time she spent at OU Children's Hospital, she made a ton of friends who became family. She touched many lives.
Victoria had an unexplainable relationship with her Lord and Savior. Several times throughout her journey Victoria would give encouragement to her family and spoke of her relationship with the Lord. She was always assuring Grandma Billie that everything was going to be alright. When times seemed to be at the toughest Victoria was a light shining in the dark.
Outside of all the doctor appointments and treatments Victoria had time for fun. She got both of her wishes granted. In August 2011, the Make a Wish Foundation sent her to Disney World in Florida. She loved meeting all the Disney Princesses. She was able to meet Toby Keith in May 2012. Victoria's pink guitar was signed by Toby Keith and she also was given a couple signed CD's and a signed t-shirt. She excitedly let him know that her favorite song of his was How Do You Like Me Now! Victoria was featured in Country Weekly with Toby Keith and an article about her fight. Victoria is on the calendar and the 2011 Christmas card for Ally's House and was the poster child for the 2011 CureSearch Walk in Oklahoma City. The Kirkhart family from Turpin had a special bond with Victoria, naming a yummy cheese pizza after her, drawing a portrait of her and writing her a beautiful song. Victoria went for an 8 second ride at the Woodward Elks Rodeo, where she hopped on the mechanical bull for a wild ride. Victoria is known for her witty and clever quotes. She once said "See this beautiful day? The Lord made it for me". And if anyone asked Victoria what her favorite color was she would say "All the colors, because the world would not be pretty without them". There wasn't a day that went that Victoria wasn't singing and dancing. One of her favorites was You Are My Sunshine. She celebrated her 8th birthday at the Science Museum and the Zoo, a surprise birthday party from the medical staff at OU and the staff at the Ronald McDonald House. She also got to celebrate her 8th birthday party with family. She was surprised with a caterpillar cupcake cake, tons of presents, and good times with the ones she loves and the ones that love her dearly.
This amazingly strong little girl went to be with the Lord on September 6, 2012, surrounded by family and friends. She went to be with her twin baby brothers Jacob and Michael Knisley, Great Grandma Shirley Rutledge, Aunt Jackie Rutledge, Great Great Grandparents Wilbur and Dorothy Wellman, Great Grandpa Tom Alexander, baby cousins Jacob and Joseph Price, and Great Great Uncles, Aunts, and many other relatives. She will be greatly missed but always remembered by her Grandpa Jesse and Grandma Billie Rutledge, Great Grandpa Levi Rutledge, Great Grandma Rose Alexander, Siblings Kyler, Penny, and Abby, Uncle David and Aunt Brandy Flores, Cousins Isabell and Gabriel Flores, Jaclyn Rutledge, Michael Knisley, and Great Great Uncles and Aunts, Great Uncles and Aunts, an abundance of cousins, friends, and many other people whose lives have been touched by her amazing story. We pray to God that Victoria's bravery opens others eyes to let them know that we are all on loan from the Lord.