Kayle Marie Stubbs Dies at 24: Huntington, WV Native Passes at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH – Remembered for Kind Heart, Humor, Loving Spirit – Survived by Parents Timothy Stubbs & Jamie Marie McClain, Rabbit Hopper, Aunts Jeanie Adkins & Julie McClain, Uncle Jimmy (Chasity) McClain, Cousins Cheyanne Roth, Mandy Roth, Jade Roth, Jace Marks, Joanie Marks; Preceded by Mary Choma, James McClain, Bruce Adkins; Worked at Marshall University Sodexo; Care at Cabell Huntington Hospital & Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area; Arrangements by Hall Funeral Home, Proctorville, OH

A Light That Shone Brightly: The Life of Kayle Marie Stubbs

HUNTINGTON, WV – COLUMBUS, OH – In a world that often rushes past the quiet moments, Kayle Marie Stubbs had a rare gift: she made people feel seen. Whether she was chatting with neighbors from her hammock, baking a batch of cookies for a friend, or sharing a laugh with coworkers at Marshall University, Kayle’s presence was a reminder that kindness, humor, and genuine connection are the truest measures of a life well lived.

Kayle Marie Stubbs, 24, of Huntington, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Her death came after a long and courageous battle with illness – a fight she waged with the same bright spirit and resilience that defined her every day. Though her time on this earth was far too short, the imprint she left on her family, her many friends, and her caregivers will endure for generations.

Born on March 12, 2002, in Daytona Beach, Florida, Kayle was the daughter of Timothy Stubbs and Jamie Marie McClain. From an early age, she exhibited a warmth and wisdom beyond her years – what those closest to her would later call an “old soul.” She had a natural ability to listen deeply, to offer comfort without judgment, and to find humor even in difficult circumstances.

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A Childhood of Sunshine and Promise

Though she was born in Florida, Kayle’s family soon relocated to the Huntington, West Virginia area, where she would spend most of her formative years. Growing up, she was known as a child who collected friends the way others collect seashells – effortlessly and with genuine delight. She loved animals, especially her beloved rabbit Hopper, whom she affectionately called her “Ride or Die.” The bond between Kayle and Hopper was legendary among her friends; she would often carry him around in a small carrier, talk to him as if he understood every word, and include him in family photos.

Kayle attended local schools in the Huntington area and later pursued higher education at Marshall University. It was there that she found a professional home working with Sodexo, the university’s food service provider. Her colleagues remember her as a hard worker who never complained, a team player who would stay late to help clean up, and a friend who remembered everyone’s coffee order. But more than that, they remember her laugh – a bubbly, infectious sound that could turn a dreary shift into a joyful one.

“Kayle didn’t just work at Sodexo,” said a former coworker who asked to remain anonymous. “She made Sodexo feel like family. She’d bring in homemade treats for no reason, she’d ask about your day and actually listen, and she had this way of making you feel like you mattered. That’s rare in any job, especially food service.”

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The Joys That Filled Her Heart

Kayle’s life was not defined by grand gestures or public accolades. Instead, she found joy in simple, everyday pleasures. She loved cooking and baking, finding deep satisfaction in preparing meals for others. Her specialty was a secret‑recipe chocolate chip cookie that friends still talk about, and she could whip up a mean lasagna from memory. For Kayle, food was love made visible.

One of her favorite routines was sitting in her hammock outside her Huntington home, often with Hopper nestled beside her. She would watch neighbors walk by, strike up conversations with strangers, and listen to the sounds of the evening. Those who lived near her recall that she knew everyone’s name, asked about their children, and never failed to offer a wave or a kind word.

“She was the heart of our little street,” said a neighbor. “If someone was sick, Kayle would show up with soup. If someone was sad, she’d sit with them in that hammock until they smiled. She didn’t have much money or status, but she had an endless capacity for kindness.”

Kayle also had a witty, playful sense of humor. She loved puns, silly memes, and inside jokes. Her friends describe her as the person who could make you laugh until you cried, then turn around and have a deep, meaningful conversation about life and loss. That balance – between light and depth – was the essence of who she was.

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The Battle with Illness: Courage in the Face of Adversity

Though the exact nature of Kayle’s long illness has not been publicly disclosed by the family, those close to her have shared that she faced her health challenges with extraordinary bravery. Over the past several years, she spent significant time at Cabell Huntington Hospital in West Virginia, where she formed close bonds with the nursing staff and fellow patients. Later, as her condition required more specialized care, she was transferred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio – a world‑class facility that, despite its name, treats young adults up to age 25 and beyond for complex medical conditions.

At Nationwide Children’s, Kayle became known as a patient who never lost her sense of humor, even during the hardest treatments. She would decorate her hospital room with fairy lights and photos of Hopper. She would bake (when allowed) for the nurses. She would make the other patients laugh, even those who had given up smiling.

One of the organizations that supported Kayle during her journey was Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area (Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia Area). Through Goodwill’s programs, Kayle received job training and support services that helped her maintain a sense of purpose and normalcy even as her health declined. She often spoke gratefully of the Goodwill staff, who treated her with dignity and encouragement.

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The Final Days: Peace at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

In the weeks leading up to her passing, Kayle’s condition worsened. Her mother, Jamie Marie McClain, and Jamie’s partner, Forest Johnson, were at her bedside constantly. Other family members traveled to Columbus to say their goodbyes. The staff at Nationwide Children’s Hospital provided not only exceptional medical care but also emotional and spiritual support, ensuring that Kayle’s final days were as comfortable and peaceful as possible.

On the morning of April 16, 2026, Kayle slipped away quietly, surrounded by love. Her mother later shared that Kayle’s last words were a whisper: “Tell Hopper I love him.” It was a testament to the deep, unconditional love she held for her furry companion – a love that defined so much of her life.

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A Family’s Heartbreak and Gratitude

Kayle was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Mary Choma and James McClain; her cousin, James McClain; and her uncle, Bruce Adkins. These losses weighed heavily on Kayle, who often spoke of missing them. Now, she is reunited with them.

She leaves behind a grieving but grateful family:

· Her mother, Jamie McClain, and Forest Johnson, who were her steadfast advocates and caregivers.
· Her father, Timothy Stubbs, who loved her from afar and cherished every phone call.
· Her beloved rabbit, Hopper, who now lives with Jamie and serves as a living memory of Kayle’s gentle spirit.
· Her aunts: Jeanie Adkins and Julie McClain.
· Her uncle: Jimmy (Chasity) McClain.
· Her special cousins: Cheyanne Roth, Mandy Roth, Jade Roth, Jace Marks, and Joanie Marks.
· A wide circle of close friends who became like family – many of whom she met during her care at Cabell Huntington Hospital, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and through Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area.

In a statement released by the family, they wrote: “Kayle taught us that a person’s value isn’t measured by their achievements or their health, but by the love they give. She gave love freely, endlessly, and without condition. We are broken, but we are also so proud to have been hers.”

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Tributes from the Community and Caregivers

Word of Kayle’s passing spread quickly through Huntington and the broader medical community. Cabell Huntington Hospital issued a statement: “Kayle was a patient who became a friend to our entire floor. Her smile was a gift, and her courage was an inspiration. We will miss her dearly.”

Nationwide Children’s Hospital also paid tribute: “Though Kayle’s time with us was defined by serious illness, she never let it define her. She laughed, she baked, she made art, and she reminded our staff why we do what we do. Rest in peace, dear Kayle.”

Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area posted on social media: “Kayle Stubbs was a shining example of resilience and hope. We were honored to walk alongside her. Our deepest condolences to her family and to Hopper.”

Former coworkers from Sodexo at Marshall University organized a small memorial on campus, placing a photo of Kayle in the cafeteria where she worked, surrounded by flowers and a plate of her famous chocolate chip cookies.

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A Celebration of Life – To Be Announced

The family has chosen to honor Kayle’s memory not with a somber funeral but with a Celebration of Her Life – a gathering that will reflect her bright, bubbly, and loving spirit. Details will be announced at a later date by Hall Funeral Home and Crematory in Proctorville, Ohio, which is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Rabbit Rescue of Huntington (in honor of Hopper) or to Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area to support their programs for young adults with chronic illnesses.

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Remembering Kayle: An Old Soul Gone Too Soon

Kayle Marie Stubbs lived only 24 years. But in those 24 years, she packed more kindness, more laughter, and more genuine human connection than many people achieve in a lifetime. She was not famous. She did not change laws or discover cures. But she changed people – one conversation, one cookie, one hammock chat at a time.

She leaves behind a world that is slightly less bright, slightly less funny, and slightly less warm. But she also leaves behind a blueprint for how to live: with an open heart, a ready laugh, and an unwavering belief that every person deserves to feel seen.

As her mother said, “Kayle’s body couldn’t keep fighting. But her spirit? That thing is unstoppable. It’s still out there, in every hammock, every kitchen, every rabbit’s twitch of the nose.”

Rest in peace, Kayle Marie Stubbs. You were loved. You are loved. And you will never, ever be forgotten.