Maya Millicent Martin
January 03, 2016 – May 23, 2026
A Born FIGHTER, Born WARRIOR, Born to SHINE!
With endless love, we honor our precious daughter, Maya Millicent Martin, who bravely earned her angel wings on May 23, 2026, at just 10 years old.
Born in Orlando, Florida, Maya was a beautiful, loving, and courageous child whose smile could brighten any room. Though she faced more challenges in her ten years than many do in a lifetime, she met every obstacle with remarkable strength, bravery, and grace. Born with biliary atresia, Maya navigated her journey with boundless courage and a smile that never faded, inspiring everyone around her with her determination and resilience. She was truly a warrior!
Beyond her medical journey, Maya was a happy young girl, full of life and joy. Her spirit was bright, her heart was kind, and she made the world a better place simply by being in it. She loved deeply, laughed often, and had a way of making even ordinary moments feel special.
The Joy in Everyday Moments
Maya loved school and had just completed the 4th grade at Altamese Bentley Elementary School. She brought happiness wherever she went, whether she was spending time with her friends, and skating around the neighborhood, or making a big mess with slime.
One of our absolute favorite daily traditions was our after-school routine. Maya loved getting off the bus and running to the car with the biggest smile on her face. She always knew exactly what time Steak-N-Shake half-price milkshake special started! Together, we would order Oreo Mint milkshakes and talk about her day. It was a simple thing to do, but those afternoon dates became some of our most treasured memories.
Maya also loved expressing herself through her hair, which brought out so much of her confidence and personality. She would often come running and say: “Mom, can you please call Gigi and see if she can do my hair?”
She loved trying new hairstyles, vibrant colors, and intricate braid designs. Every time Gigi finished her hair, Maya would be so excited to show it off. The moment we got home, she would be in front of the mirror admiring it, and before long, she’d be making a TikTok to show the world her new look. Seeing how much happiness something so simple brought her is a memory we will hold close forever.
Maya loved spending weekends with her dad, her brother Mason, Noah, and her bonus mom, Megan. Those weekends were filled with adventure, laughter, and memories that she looked forward to all week long. They often headed to the beach or lake together, where Maya loved riding on the jet ski with the biggest smile on her face. Whether they were exploring the shoreline or enjoying time out on the water, those moments brought her so much happiness.
When they weren’t at the beach, the family could often be found at the skate park. Maya loved riding her scooter and bike alongside her brothers and friends, always eager to have fun and try something new. Whether they were spending the day outdoors or simply enjoying time together, those weekends were filled with love, and the special bond they shared. These are memories that her family will cherish forever.
A Warrior’s Spirit
Whenever Maya was admitted to the hospital for elevated liver enzymes, we always made the best of it, staying right by her side. Our hospital rooms were never just hospital rooms—they were filled with her contagious energy.
We spent countless hours playing UNO, painting, doing crafts, and, of course, making her favorite slime. If we happened to be there on a Wednesday, we made sure to play BINGO—and somehow, Maya always seemed to win! Even during difficult hospital stays, her laughter was everywhere. No matter what she was facing, she never stopped smiling and finding reasons to enjoy each day.
The Best Birthday: Memories of Our Perfect Day
On her birthday, I took Maya on a shopping spree at the Florida Mall. It was a day filled with so much joy, laughter, and love—memories with my Capricorn twin that I will cherish forever. We stood in line together for the Labubu store, and she was so excited when it was finally our turn to walk inside. In true sweet Maya fashion, she ended up choosing the exact same Labubu she already had at home, but she loved it just as much! One of the absolute highlights of the day was when she picked out a battery-operated raccoon to ride. She had the biggest smile on her face cruising through the mall, having the absolute time of her life.
While we were there, she spotted a stand selling Dubai chocolate-covered strawberries—one of her absolute favorites—and we sat together and shared one. She also picked out a special sweatshirt and had her favorite artist printed right on it. Before we left, we stopped for cotton candy, and she chose to have it made into the shape of a dog. We ate every last bit of that cotton candy on the drive home, singing along to her favorite songs at the top of our lungs. I never could have imagined that this would be the last birthday we would spend together, but it remains a flawless memory of pure happiness.
Welcomed Into Heaven by Grandparents Lynette and Nathan Martin Sr., Grand Father Aaron Mills, Great Grand Father Vincent Martin, Great Grand Mother Shirley Major, Millicent Martin, Wilda Zealley and Aunt Amy Mills
Maya Is Lovingly Survived by her mother: Alisha Mills, father: Nathan Martin Jr., bonus mom: Megan Olive, brothers: Mason and Noah Martin, God Mother: Elise Johnson, grandparents: Shannon Mills, Scott and Lynette Olive, great Grandparents: Lucky and Pamela Schwenneker, Robert and Janette Mills, Joshua and Gloria Major. Aunts: Taylor (Nicholas) Smith, Gihia and Tayla Martin, Deborah Williams, uncles: Lavito (Bertina) Martin, Alex Mills, cousins: Kamron, Gianna, Avery, Jailan Jr., Oliver, Violet, Daisy, Lavito Jr., Laniyah, Kamden, Kayt, Keondre, numerous Other Family and Friends:
Saunders and Wheeler Family, Major Family, Mitchell Family, Styles Family, Basshand Family, Strickland Family, Daway Family, Jameson Family, Thompson Family, Robinson Family, Swaby Family, Diggiss Family, Minnis Family, Smith Family, Bingham Family, Elliott Family, Sugarman Family, Maxwell Family, Beamon Family, Stepp Family, Bentley Elementary Class of 2034 and staff, Endtime Harvest Outreach Ministries, Maya’s Transplant Team, and numerous other relatives and friends.
💙 Forever Loved, Forever Missed. 💙