Shawn Quinn

Shawn Brandon Quinn was granted his angel wings on Thursday, June 22, 2017. His final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that he had touched in some small way throughout his short, yet very memorable life.
Shawn's life would seem too short to many of us, but those whom he touched understood that the quality of life far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. His bright smile could melt the hearts of those around him, and his hugs could brighten anyone's day.
Shawn has beat the odds and proved the doctors wrong more times than we can count. He possessed strength, perseverance, and an ability to overcome unbelievable odds and physical challenges like no one had ever seen. Without even realizing it, he led us to believe that each day is a blessing and an opportunity to create lasting memories. He might have had the mentality of a little boy but he understood love. He knew when someone cared for him and he, himself, knew how to care deeply in return. He didn't understand time passing but he understood the time he had with the people he loved.
Shawn could spend hours sitting and listening to his favorite music, assembling a puzzle, or playing basketball, and anyone who spent anytime with him learned to appreciate his overwhelming excitement over the Transformers, and he could quote every single word from every movie. He would keep us counting down the days until it was time for monster trucks and any holiday involving fireworks. The New Orleans Saints and D'iberville High School Warriors never had a bigger fan than Shawn. He inspired us to get excited about the little things such as his favorite colors, which represented each of his favorite fictional characters - "blue, like Optimus Prime", "red, like Spiderman" and "yellow, like Bumblebee". He adored his best friend Chris and loved that everyone called them "Fric & Frac". His siblings, Kyle and Laura, were at the center of his world and more recently, his nephew, Kathan, had earned the title of being Shawn's favorite. Most of all, he loved being surrounded by his friends and family, people that loved him exactly the way he was.
Shawn leaves behind many wonderful friends that provided love and support and enhanced his quality of life at South Mississippi Regional Center. There is a special place in our hearts for many of those caregivers, too numerous to mention, that showed Shawn continual dedication, love and support.
Shawn is survived by his loving parents, Lloyd and Monica Quinn; brother and his wife, Kyle and Katlyn Quinn and nephew, Kathan; sister, Laura Quinn; paternal grandfather, Lloyd Quinn, Sr; paternal step-grandmother, Debbie Botelho; maternal grandparents, Ron Coolman and Barbara White; paternal great-grandmother, Clara Klippstein; maternal great-grandfather, William David White; paternal uncle and aunt, Eddie & Ashley Quinn; paternal aunt and uncle, Angie and John Jeter; maternal aunt and uncle, Amanda and Jeff Allgood; paternal aunts and uncles, Seth and Kayla Botelho and family, Crystal Botelho, John Curtis Botelho, Jennifer Gaskins & Family, Shannon Morris and family, and Jackie Moody and family. Cousins include Jeffrey, Tyler, Amber, Makayla, Vicki, John Lewis, Brianna, Joshua, Bryce, Daniel, Emily, Eddie Jr, and Brendon. Fictive kin include Patrick Carew, Amber and Adam Westbrook, Marcella Tarpley, Steven and Sonya Moran, Marc Mason, and Sonny Milano.
He was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandmother, Kay Frances White; paternal grandmother, Camellia Faye Quinn; paternal grandfather, Bo Botelho; maternal grandfather, Philip "BigGuy" Whitehead; and paternal great-aunt, Becky Kolva.
With Shawn's passing, we remind others that his life is one to be celebrated. Although we will miss those big bear hugs and that silly toothless smile, he will forever remain in our hearts. Without even realizing it, he taught us so very much about life. Shawn was our real life Peter Pan. He will never know that he truly was everyone's hero; and he will never know how much of an impact he had on all of us. Now, it's time for him to rest easy and fly high. In the words of Shawn's hero, Optimus Prime, "...our pasts will always be remembered, for in those memories, we live on. Autobots, roll out". And, in the words of our Shawn-baby, "Peace out, dude."
Shawn's Going Home Celebration and memory sharing will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday June 29, 2017 at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd, Gulfport MS, with a visitation for family and friends two hours prior to the service.
A gathering and firework display is being planned and details will be provided once they are finalized.
Casual dress; please come as you are. Everyone is welcome to share in our celebration.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Shawn's honor to one of the following organizations:
Epilepsy Foundation of Mississippi:
http://epilepsy-ms.org/donate/
Special Olympics of Mississippi:
http://www.specialolympicsms.org
Tim Tebow Foundation - Night To Shine:
https://www.timtebowfoundation.org
http://ms.wish.org