MacKenzie A Sleeper's Obituary
MacKenzie Alina Sleeper (Nash), 19, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, April 25,
2024. MacKenzie was engaged to be married on Saturday, April 27th , to Ian Nash.
MacKenzie, better known as Mac or Kenz, had completed her AS degree recently, and
was scheduled to begin an occupational therapy program in May. Mac was a natural
born athlete. She was a competitive gymnast for many years, and always loved
working out. She was the youngest trainer ever for Trinity Fitness, a Christ-focused
group fitness program, at age 16. MacKenzie originally had aspirations to be an athletic
trainer and did an internship for two seasons with the Jacksonville Sharks Arena
Football Team, where she was again the youngest intern they had ever had. Mac grew
up shag dancing with her sister and grandparents, and was a member of the
Jacksonville Junior Shaggers, as well as a team member of the Junior Shag Dance
Team. She helped her grandparents teach young dancers this classic couples dance
that she loved so much. She also tried out diving after retiring from gymnastics. Mac
had a drive to accomplish that was so impressive. She was a determined young
woman who knew who she was in Christ, knew what she wanted, loved passionately,
and lived for Jesus. She was old when she was born, just like her dad. She was fierce
and fearless, always so appropriately discerning in every situation. Mac was silly,
brave, and loyal. She thought deeply about decisions and conversations before she
acted. MacKenzie was always wise beyond her years. In her short time on this earth,
she touched so many people with her kindness, passion, and faith.
Mac and Ian were so perfectly matched, faithfully following their savior, Jesus Christ.
When MacKenzie met Ian, the first thing she said was that she wanted a man that was
not afraid to pray like he did. She listed a bunch of things about him that was on her list.
He seemed to check all the boxes, which just seemed too good to be true. But we
trusted God that he had brought her the man that was to show her His love, and he did.
It has been a beautiful, Christ-centered love story to watch unfold for the last year and a
half. They planned to honeymoon in Gatlinburg, TN, then remain in Jacksonville as Ian
is in the Navy, stationed at NAS Jax.
MacKenzie is survived in our hearts by her husband, Ian Nash, and by her parents,
James and Shari Sleeper, her sister and brother-in-law, Corey and Delaney Hefner, and
her brother, Keegan Sleeper, and her beloved Nermal and Milo. She is also survived by
her grandparents, Ronald Combs and Kathi Aultman, Jim and Melba Thompson, and
Mary Sleeper, and by her aunts and uncles, Norman and Michelle Bizier, Tom and Beth
Locklin, and Dennis Sleeper. In addition, she leaves behind the entire Nash and Dahl
families, who love her as their daughter, granddaughter, sister, and cousin.
A celebration of her life will be held at The Church of Eleven22, Fleming Island Campus,
on Saturday, May 11th, at 1pm. Please dress in your casual wedding attire, as we will
be celebrating the union of Mac and Ian that was taken from us all. In lieu of flowers,
we kindly ask that you consider a donation to one of the following:
Compassion International - https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/
Trinity Fitness - https://trinityfitness.org/sponsorship-opportunities/
The Church of Eleven22 - https://coe22.com/give/
Jacksonville Junior Shaggers - https://www.jaxjrshaggers.com/donate
Heritage Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.
What’s your fondest memory of MacKenzie?
What’s a lesson you learned from MacKenzie?
Share a story where MacKenzie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with MacKenzie you’ll never forget.
How did MacKenzie make you smile?