Shawna M. Rohrer was born in Orange, Calif., in 1978 to Bobbie and David Acuna. Shawna was in many ways a miracle child. When only three years old she almost died of meningitis and encephalitis. The doctors told us that if she survived she would probably have irreversible brain damage, but by the grace of God, through many prayers she pulled through and ended up being an honor student and had the opportunity to attend the Air Force Academy with a Presidential citation of academic excellence. She not only excelled in school but was very helpful and loving to others, especially those who were not as gifted or blessed.

When Shawna was six years old her mother and father were divorced, but two years later she got a new “daddy.” A few years after that her last name was changed from Acuna to Rohrer. In her junior year in high school she began to have severe headaches and after months of agony she was diagnosed with cerebral vasculitis (severe brain pressure.) She underwent many surgeries and was in intensive care for 10 months in Reno, Nev., during which time she went completely blind and suffered many strokes. Finally she was given a ventricular-atrial shunt which relieved the pressures in her brain. We were told that no one survived as high of pressures and if they did she would have minimal brain function. During that time she was close to death and we almost lost her but by the grace of God, through the prayers of many she survived and even excelled. Later she received most of her sight. She had to learn to walk and talk and eat and do almost everything again but she also grew closer to God. She maintained a heart of gold and was always trying to help others.

Shawna was active in cheerleading, church activities, and ROTC where she was a born leader. She was chosen as a contestant in Miss Reno Rodeo and was selected as a ROTC princess. She loved dancing, taking pictures, singing, traveling, teaching and hanging out with family and friends. Shawna has lived in Anaheim, Calif., Ft, Rucker, Ala., Reno and Carson City, Nev., and lately of Southlake. While her “daddy” was stationed in Iraq she helped take care of her mother Bobbie who herself was desperately sick and her niece Ariana. She is survived by her father, David Acuna of Hermosa Beach; mother, Bobbie and “daddy” pastor Bill Rohrer of Southlake; grandfather, Clay Rohrer of Santa Cruz, Calif.; grandmother Roberta Dobbs of Durant, Okla.; sister Dawn of Kansas; sister Michelle from Hermosa Beach; sister Tammy from Murietta, Calif.; brother Troy from Reno, Nev.; sister Kalea from Carson City, Nev. and many nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by her family and church families and by her friends all over the world. She has joined her brother David who went to be with Jesus in 2006. Memorial services for Shawna were held at the Highland Chapel United Methodist Church, Lake Isabella, Calif. at 2:00 p.m.