10-year-old angel who spent hours sewing face masks for health workers tragically dies in accident

A 10-year-old girl who spread cheer and hope in her community amid the global health crisis tragically passed away in an accident last week. Lexi Brooke Collins made headlines earlier this month for sewing and donating face masks for healthcare workers leading the fight against the pandemic. Determined to help out in any way she could when her school closed due to the ongoing crisis, the young girl spent countless hours hand-sewing about 100 face masks for healthcare workers in her community. This heartwarming gesture has now become Lexi's legacy as her loved ones lay her to rest.

Lexi, from Munday, Texas, was featured on local news station KTXS on April 6 after the staff at Anson General Hospital reached out with words of gratitude for her donation. "Anson General Hospital received a very kind donation of hand-sewn face masks from a Munday, TX 5th grader. Thank you, Lexi Collins!! We are thankful for YOU," they said, sharing photographs of a few staff members wearing the masks sewn by the young girl. The news station revealed that she passed away in an ATV accident on April 17. A fifth-grader at Munday Elementary, Lexi is remembered as a "loving, beautiful, and caring one" said her obituary.

"Her smile was bright, but she was shy because of it. Her vibrant, curly hair was different compared to all the other girls around. She was unique, extraordinary, and truly a one of a kind," the obituary states. "Lexi lit up the world she lived in, from her grandparents’ houses to the hallways of Munday Elementary." The moving tribute also addressed the young girl's good deeds in her final days. "She spent countless hours making much needed facial masks (approximately 100) for the Knox County community and other surrounding counties," it read.

"One skill that Lexi had mastered at such a young age was quilting, which was a trade she picked up from her Mammy and Mamaw, and she won awards from the Cotton Pickin’ Quilt Show. Like her mother Jara, Lexi was a giver and helper – she gave smiles, love, and anything else she could to just make your day better and helped others with the day’s tasks or helping an upset friend smile," the obituary continued. "Being a typical 10-year old, Lexi loved to play, enjoyed the fun in everyday life, and always gave her special kind of love to others. Just like her daddy and granddaddy, Lexi loved horses and enjoyed the great outdoors with them. She was definitely 'Daddy’s Princess.'"

"With the passing of Papaw and Nana’s 'pretty girl,' on Friday, April 17th, 2020, the empty part of our hearts will be filled with memories of Lexi in tow with her two brothers and cousin Kylen. Her two-year-old brother Grayson is going to greatly miss his second mama – Lexi. Talan, her older brother by two years, will miss his compass – Lexi – to direct him," her grieving loved ones wrote. "She is survived by her parents Jacy and Jara Collins, brothers Talan and Grayson along with her grandparents Jerry and Rachel Gray of Munday. Until we meet again, Lexi, keep smiling, keep caring, and keep God’s faith in your soul."

Munday City Councilwoman Karen Logan revealed that Lexi's dedication to helping healthcare workers stay safe during the pandemic was unsurprising as her mom, grandmother, aunt, and uncle are all nurses. "Lexi was a remarkable child. She was bright, talented, wise beyond her years, but overall had the most precious spirit I've ever know. She was always smiling," she said of Lexi.

The vibrant young girl's grieving mother recently shared a video featuring her daughter with all her loved ones through the years, writing: If I could have a picture with every person she loved on this slideshow it would go on forever. Thank you all for loving my baby girl because she sure loved all of you! She was the best person I knew, and I will miss her every second of every day for the rest of my life! Thank you Lord for choosing me to be her Mom, I truly don’t know what I did to deserve the honor!