It is a privilege for Refuge Baptist Church to honor Kade’s life and memory by accepting donations to fund the purchase of playground equipment for the students of Hillandale Elementary. Additionally, we are partnering with the school to continue collecting donations for an ongoing scholarship fund to support children in need.
Playground Memorial Plaque
Joseph Kade Gravely’s life, though brief, was a testament to extrordinary courage, love, and joy. Born on July 31, 2017, with a heart defect, Kade faced many heart surgeries with remarkable bravery. His transplant, March 18, 2018, was made possible by the generous gift of life from a little girl named Hannah. From the very start, he was a heart warrior, and his journey touched countless lives.
Kade’s radiant smile and captivating brown eyes drew people to him, and his journey was followed with great care on social media. Many prayers and heartfelt support surrounded him, helping him navigate the numerous obstacles he faced with remarkable positivity and laughter. Despite his health challenges, Kade’s attitude remained upbeat, a true reflection of his resilient spirit.
His interests were as vibrant as his personality. Kade adored Mickey Mouse, Spiderman, and airplanes. He had a special fondness for sugar cookies, green ice cream, pizza, french fries, dump trucks, and any adult excavating equipment he could drive with supervision. His joy extended to his collection of ride-on cars, including a police car, a gator, a Lamborghini, and a UTV, among others. One of his favorite activities was mining for rocks and gems, where his excitement was palpable as he’d exclaim, “I’m rich!” upon finding a gem among the rocks.
Kade’s love for Jesus and his enthusiasm for church were evident, and his classmate’s comment, “Jesus is really going to love him, he’s funny,” captures the essence of his joyful spirit. Music was another passion of his, and his singing in the car during trips was a delightful part of his life.
On February 13, 2024, Kade completed his earthly journey. His fascination with heaven and Bible stories, along with his unwavering faith, were integral parts of his short but impactful life. His belief that Jesus rose from the dead and his joyful response to this truth were testaments to his deep spiritual understanding.
Though his time with us was brief, the impact of his life was profound. We are grateful to everyone who loved him, supported his journey, and held him in their prayers. Kade enriched our lives in immeasurable ways. While we mourn his absence, we take comfort in the belief that he is now soaring with the angels and singing to the King. Each day brings us closer to the time when we will be reunited with him. Until then, we cherish the precious memories of his life and hold them close to our hearts.
Obituary
Joseph Kade Gravely, 6, of Hendersonville went to be with Jesus on Tuesday February 13, 2024.
Miraculous is the only word to describe the life of our incredible heart warrior. Time after time we saw God’s hand on him and holding him throughout his life. Kade completed his earthly adventure on Tuesday February 13, 2024, with a smile on his face. He must have been seeing Jesus.
Kade’s life touched everyone he joyfully encountered. His infectious laugh, along with the many hugs he would freely give, will be forever etched on the hearts of everyone blessed to have known him. God has truly used Kade as a demonstration of Godly Love, Grace and Mercy for all who witnessed his life and health journey. We have been abundantly blessed by the many who truly loved him and were an intricate part of his special care and for that we are so, so grateful. Kade was a rock collector, gator driving, airplane loving, Spiderman and Mickey Mouse loving little boy, but above all, he knew who God was, how awesome He is and how much Jesus loved him. We had many heart-felt conversations about heaven and he truly understood that we, as believers, would be there with him for eternity.
Your donation to our 501(c)(3) nonprofit is tax-deductible, meaning your generous gift may reduce your taxable income. As a registered tax-exempt organization, all contributions made to the church can be claimed on your tax return in accordance with IRS guidelines. Donations are made with the understanding that Refuge Baptist Church has complete control and discretion over the donated funds, including the right to use such funds for other purposes consistent with its tax-exempt mission, which is required for this donation to be considered tax-deductible per IRS guidelines. Please consult with a tax professional to learn more about how your donation can benefit you during tax season. Thank you for supporting our mission!
No goods or services were received in exchange for this contribution other than incidental religious beliefs.