Zoey Elizabeth Reel was born May 8, 2012, in Houston, Texas to Ben and Kristyn Reel.  Zoey passed away peacefully at home on July 6, 2023.

"What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us."  Helen Keller.

Zoey, both enjoyed and deeply loved life.  Zoey surrendered her fierce battle with Cancer; however, she did not lose her life.  Once you knew Zoey, her life became deeply a part of you.  Zoey's family, friends, teachers, therapists, and supporters carry on her life legacy forever.  We take comfort in knowing so many carry-on Zoey's life into the days ahead.

During Zoey's earliest years, Ben and Kristyn embraced Zoey as a child with unique needs while advocating for all she was to become.  Zoey defied odds and prognoses repeatedly.  Professionals offered doubts she would walk, talk, or learn.  With passion, hope and faith, Ben and Kristyn set forth on a journey for Zoey's successes.   They believed in Zoey and gave her opportunities to break barriers.  Zoey thrived on positive challenges, cheers, and encouragement.  Milestones looked different for Zoey.  Physical therapy supported first steps at age 2.5, speech therapy brought first spoken words at age 6, music therapy ignited a "one man band" and all the while applied behavior analysis (ABA) programming brought milestones in self-regulation, learning to learn and building relationships.  By age 8, Zoey was a runner, a chatterbox, a singer, a reader, a writer and a thriving individual.  She said what she meant and meant what she said.  Throughout her eleven years of life, she served as both a student and a teacher.  Zoey provided professionals, parents, family, friends, and even strangers with life lessons to be treasured, honored, and shared.

Zoey's life did not have a vast quantity in years, but it had an enormous quality of love, lessons, and legacy.  Zoey is survived by her parents, Ben and Kristyn Reel, sister Stella Reel and brother Mikah Reel.  She is also survived by her great-grandfather, Bob Owens; grandparents, Rick and Vicki Holmgreen, Dan Reel, Danny and Laurelle Worden; aunt, uncle, and cousins, Graig, Jennifer, Owen, Brian, and Carly Howard; as well as many other aunts, uncles, and cousins.

We are so blessed and grateful for all the lessons that Zoey, ZoZo, Zoeybug taught us.  She made everyone she met a better person and her legacy will live on with each of us.

A visitation and service will take place at Klein Funeral Homes, Champions
16131 Champion Forest Drive
Klein, TX 77379

VISITATION:  Wednesday July 12, 2023 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm

SERVICE:  Thursday July 13, 2023 2:00pm

DRESS:  The family asks that attendees wear bright colors and beloved characters to all services celebrating Zoey's life.