Brandy Zahnter

 Our gracious and merciful God granted this cruel world with the blessing of a beautiful, loving, and kind soul on September 25, 1987 at 8:13 p.m. in Wichita, Kansas. The name her wonderful parents, Chad Anton Zahnter and Darla Jean Ramsey-Zahnter gave her was Brandy Marie Zahnter. Having been born a premature baby with a bacterial infection her name suited her well. You see, the name Brandy means "sword" in Italian and Marie means "beloved", as you who knew her well know, she was most definitely a beloved fighter. From her 18 days in the NICU to her last 30 days fighting an unknown cancer in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, she never gave up her fight, the fight to love those in this world like Christ loved us all or the fight to live. She surrendered to God's will and Brandy joyfully walked into the arms of the Lord on December 2, 2024 at 9:09 a.m. surrounded by family, at the age of 37 years.

  During her time on earth she spent most of her life in Alfalfa County and it's where she considered home. She called herself a Cherokee Chief as she went to school there from third grade to Junior year. She then graduated from Carver Adult Education Center on May 15, 2007. She remained in her heart as a member of the Cherokee Chiefs Class of 2007. As a member of Ed Jones' youth group she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. We are grateful for that blessing and the hope we have to see her again.

  Brandy loved her family and friends but most especially her nieces and nephews. They nicknamed her Mimi and she was like an extra momma to each one in their own way and own time. She connected with each of them on a personal level, engaging in the things they loved and making them feel truly understood. Her wonderful nephew, Talon James, had a special place in her life though. That bond is one we all loved watching grow between the two of them. 

 She loved with everything she had and it spilled over to animals, flowers, and all living things really. In her final months she refused to kill a spider because her big sister, Latisha, would be sad and all he was doing was "eating the flies not hurting anyone". Brandy never wanted to be the cause of anyone's sadness and did her absolute best to love everyone in their love languages. Her spirit was as vibrant as the blossoms she adored, and her heart as warm as the sun she cherished. She had a love that was unwavering and constant, even with her pets over the years. Her sweet little dogs, Missy P and JackJack, made her light up. 

  Brandy had a unique and creative spirit, enjoying hobbies like crocheting, coloring, and embracing her artistic side. She found joy in creating beautiful things, just as she did with the people in her life. Her heart was full of love for her family. She taught herself to crochet by watching videos, mastering a variety of stitches and bringing vibrant colors together to create stunning pieces. Though she had only recently discovered her true passion and the beginnings of her business, her talent and determination were already paving the way for a future filled with endless possibilities.

 From a young age, music was a constant companion in Bam's life, transcending genres and connecting her to the world around her. Whether it was the soul-stirring melodies of classical compositions, the raw energy of rock, the rhythmic pulse of jazz, or the infectious beats of pop, Brandy found beauty and meaning in every style. Music wasn’t just something she listened to, it was a language she spoke, a source of comfort, inspiration, and expression. Brandy's passion for music was boundless, a true reflection of her diverse tastes and deep appreciation for the arts in all its forms.

  In more recent years Brandy discovered a community of people and music that really spoke to her heart and soul. Her love for BTS, which brought her so much joy and inspiration, reflected her free-spirited nature. BTS's fandom, known as ARMY, helped give her a bigger sense of belonging. BTS translates to Bulletproof Boy Scouts, a Korean band that has a worldwide following of people from many walks of life. The love of and for Adorable Representation M.C. for Youth, or A.R.M.Y, introduced Brandy to the idea of expanding her knowledge to speak Korean. This community and their encouragement helped her to deflect the bullets and yield her sword when life tried to bring her down.

 She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Mr. Lawrence E. Ramsey and Mrs. Ramonia Jean Stratton-Ramsey as well as her paternal grandparents, James Alvin Zahnter and Irene Marguerite Hansen-Zahnter; her maternal uncle, David Lawrence Ramsey, and many other aunts, uncles, and loved ones on her father's side. 

 She is survived by her parents, Chad of Florence, Mississippi and Darla of Cherokee, Oklahoma; her best big sister, Latisha Watters and brother from another mother, Billy Watters; her cherished nieces, Jasmine and Georgia Watters; her little sister, Tialissa Zahnter-Dowell; brother-in-law, Daniel Dowell; her darling nieces, Angel Dowell and Riley Dowell; her precious nephews, Seth Zahnter and Connor Dowell, all of Cherokee; her baby sister, Charla Zahnter-Fishgrab; brother-in-law, Jesse Fishgrab and her beloved nephews, Talon Zahnter-Fishgrab and Benjamin Zahnter-Fishrab, all of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things" Philippians 4:8 

 We find comfort knowing that Brandy is now with the Lord, at peace and surrounded by His love, the love she always had in her heart.

 Viewing will be Thursday December 12 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. in Cherokee. Service will be Friday December 13 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Cherokee, with burial to follow in Hardtner Cemetery, Hardtner, Kansas.

Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Cherokee. www.lanmanfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. on behalf of the family.