This shows Loria all smiles, celebrating her first Christmas in 1979.

Loria was an early walker at the age of 9 months.

At the age of 15 months, one of her most prized possessions was "her very own keychain".

We celebrated Loria's 2nd birthday with a party. Later that evening, we ended up at the hospital emergency room when Loria suffered an extremely high fever caused by an ear infection.

At the age of three, her trademark curls were already a crowning asset.

Loria's first school picture in head start at the age of four.

Santa visited her head start class during the Christmas holidays of 1983.

Loria at the age of five in 1984.

Loria's first graduation day ... kindergarten, 1985. She would go on to experience graduation from middle school and high school. She fell short of time by three months for personal acceptance of her college diploma, which NCSU presented to us posthumously in her honor.

Loria loved to go to her Grandma's and ride the bike that her Grandma kept there "just for her".

Her first grade photo, 1985. I found the little shirt with the A-B-C buttons on the collar and thought it would work great for the occasion.

At the age of six, Loria was a 2nd place winner in a local fashion show. One of her prizes was a digital Timex watch that she treasured and wore for many years.

As a young girl, Loria could spend hours entertaining herself with her Barbie dolls.

Loria, on the first day of 2nd grade.

Loria's second grade photo in 1986. She wanted me to french braid her hair for the occasion.

Loria celebrated Halloween in 1986 dressed as a witch.

Loria, on the first day of 3rd grade.