Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

April Erin Stirton was born and raised in Waxhaw, North Carolina. An active child, she inherited her athletic abilities from her parents. Her father was a gymnast. Although he had no formal training, he'd bounce on trampolines. April's pastor remembers when she was young, she climbed up on top of an oil drum. He told her to get down, but she said, "No." She was a little stubborn yet adventurous. Active in her Walkersville Presbyterian Church, she learned great cooking skills from helping in her church community. Growing up, she was very close to her sister, Scarlett, and her brother, Bert. April graduated from Parkwood High School in 2000 and attended Wingate University for two years, before transferring to Coastal Carolina to be a starter on the Division I soccer team. She paid her way through college and graduated with a Business degree in 2004.

During college and for two summers after she graduated from Coastal, April sold reference books door-to-door. From early in the morning until late at night, she worked hard during the summer to save a nest egg. She worked 80-hour weeks so she could put money away for the rest of the year. With a competitive nature, she did everything 100% and outsold everybody in her group. The next generation was always on her mind. With a love of children, she was also a gymnastics coach for Girls Incorporated.

When her friend, Tiffany, was accepted into photography school and moving to Santa Barbara, April said, "I'll go with you." They hopped into the car and had the best road trip across the country. They had so much fun. They were roommates in Santa Barbara for two years, while April was figuring out what she wanted to do with her life. She loved working out at the gym and looked up physical training facilities in Los Angeles. She was invited to train at the infamous Bob Yerkes Back Yard. She moved to the valley with her cousin, Joanna. Every chance she had, she drove back and forth to visit friends in Santa Barbara. She always kept in touch with Tiffany by phone and e-mail, because they enjoyed many cross-country trips, spring break in Florida, a visit to the Grand Canyon and they even climbed the steps at the Rock of Gibraltar. They were friends for life.

April started as a student at XMA World Headquarters in 2007. She worked hard and trained hard. She was an incredible athlete and quickly became a trampoline and acrobatics instructor joining Mr. Stanner & Mr. Ross. The kids loved April. She was fun. She even did flips in a tutu. She was a great role model. She recently kicked her shoes off and threw a round off back handspring double full twist completely cold to inspire one of the students. She was physically amazing, easy to work with, and she was very successful because she worked hard.

April was fearless when it came to her stunt work. She'd spring forward, flip, and dive onto her face. She was tough, but she'd also get huge raspberries and bruises. During the filming of "Circle of Eight," she was black and blue after a few stunts. She'd smile even when it was dangerous because it was fun and she knew she was safe. She'd go up 50 feet on a wire, jump from the top of the building, and land about an inch from the ground, smiling the whole time. When she appeared as an extra on the television show "Las Vegas," her mom went out and bought the entire season on DVD. Her family was very proud of her work, but so was her entire town back home in North Carolina. She was a big star in their eyes.

Her credits were growing as she was a stunt double on "Circle of Eight," "True Blood," "The Selling" and "CSI." She also performed as a stunt performer, stunt coordinator, martial artist, gymnast and acrobat. She performed as Rachel and a Ninja in the live "Batman Begins Stunt Show" at Magic Mountain. She was also an acrobat for the live show "Cirque De La Mer" in San Diego, which involved working with challenging Chinese Poles. She held her own and it showed how confident she was in her work. She was a martial artist and acrobat in India for a live Kung Fu show. She had to learn the sword and trained for a week for that show. She even entered an international competition for martial arts and she came in third place. That was after only training for a week. An all around athlete, she had so many expert abilities that were gaining attention in the industry. Fulfilling her dreams, she was grateful to be a part of the stunt world and never complained, even when she was hurt or injured.

A year ago, April asked Eric on a date. They'd been dating ever since. They had a lot of fun together and even went rock climbing in Topanga Canyon. They visited April's friends in Santa Barbara a few times and her soccer friend in Manhattan Beach. She always loved going to the ocean and seeing the waves. April and Eric had the greatest time when they were together and really complimented each other. Eric loved to do laundry and she loved to do the dishes, so everything was always clean. April liked to watch people dance and she liked to watch Eric dance. She wanted to go to Africa to meet his family. April showed Eric the beauty that is still in the world and taught him to love life and people.

Even though she didn't like pit bulls, April knew that Eric wanted a pit bull. So, she went to the shelters to look at dogs with Eric. They were planning to get a dog together. Every night when they were both in town, April and Eric spent time together. She was the one person he could confide in since the day they met. When either one of them left town, April wrote him long letters. She also wrote many letters to her family and her cousins. She loved keeping in touch with her family and always made sure to keep in touch with her brother "George."

April's favorite color was pink and she loved the outdoors. She found pleasure in everything and everyone. She was an excellent coupon shopper at the grocery store and shopped with care. She was generous with others, but frugal with herself. The one treat she allowed herself was having a Café Latte at Starbucks. When it came to other people, she was happy to spend money on them. When people gave her money to pick up food, she paid for extra expenses and gas out of her own pocket without people knowing about it. She was happy to do it. When someone hit hard times, she took out her checkbook and wrote a check to help out. She gave so selflessly, because she just loved people.

At XMA, they called her the "Queen of the Kitchen," because she often brought in appetizers and treats for everyone. She was a wonderful cook. She shared the same intensity for her stunt work that she did for baking red velvet cupcakes for the first time. For the Superbowl party, she made three appetizers for everyone to enjoy. Many Friday nights, April was running around at XMA chasing kids. She was game for anything and everything. If anyone pulled out a football or baseball bat, she played. She was a big kid at heart. She was also a volunteer with Stuntacular Stunt Show where all proceeds went to the Make-A-Wish-Foundation and she adored the children she met.

April's maternal clock had started to tick and she never lost her patience with kids. Always willing to spend time with kids, she was happy babysitting children. She babysat for the Belonsky family and she also babysat McKenzie and Mike's kids, Gage and Talin. She brought a lot of sunshine to their family because she loved the children and enjoyed playing with them. She even helped Gage and Talin plant a garden in planter boxes. Being from North Carolina, she thought sometimes you just need to get your hands dirty. She thought it was so much fun, that Eric built her a garden of her own.

April liked listening to all music. She enjoyed special songs and the sounds of the bagpipes in honor of her Scottish heritage. Sometimes she'd sing along to the music. She was a happy person who was always willing to help. If she visited your apartment and saw dishes in your sink, she'd wash them for you. If you asked her to clean your toilet, she'd do it just to be nice. She was awesome, energetic, cheery and bright. She was the kind of person who you could confide in and talk to. Instead of giving you a hug, she'd pick you up and body slam you. She had guns on her and everybody wanted arms like April. She didn't have six-pack abs, she had an eight-pack and she was strong.

Professionally, April found work very quickly in the entertainment industry. She was so happy to be on set. When she performed in a low-budget movie with Lucy, their job was to run away from the monsters. April was smiling the whole time. Lucy told her, "April, you can't laugh, we're supposed to be scared of the monsters." Her smile was a common theme to her work because she loved it so much. You can see her smiling in a brawl scene on the television show "CSI" and she's smiling in the Ford Fiesta national commercial. Even in a video, which shows April being set on fire while in a fire suit, she's smiling even though she's surrounded by flames. Tough stunts never scared her off, but she tackled them as a new adventure.

In November 2009, April and Lucy participated in an eight-day simulated training with the Navy Seals. April had done the training before and she was called back to do it again. Even though it was challenging, she said "Yes," when she saw an opportunity. They went out on the Island as the Navy Seals had night vision, walkie-talkies, AK 47s, and helmets. The girls were wearing dresses and they were separated from the group. One of the Navy Seals yelled at April for where she was standing. When April unexpectedly stood up for herself, the Navy Seals guy apologized. She earned his respect and she was his favorite after that. It was awesome to see her speak up and stand up for herself.

In her personal life, April was grateful for small acts of kindness. It meant a great deal to her when someone said "Thank you." She had a keen awareness for showing appreciation for others and she never wanted to miss a birthday. If she missed your birthday, she still made you a cake. She was extremely thoughtful. She read books on behavioral patterns and she had a book about faces. The book said that you could tell what someone was like by their eyebrows and facial features. In many ways, she studied people to understand them better. She said the only reason people hate someone else is because they don't understand what they've been through. April also collected the fortunes from fortune cookies and taped them to her entertainment center. In her bedroom, she had a quote from James Dean: "Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." And, she lived her life that way fulfilling her dreams every day.

In January, Tiffany traveled to Santa Barbara with her nine-month-old son, Dylan. April drove to Santa Barbara with Eric and Kathy to have dinner with Tiffany. They had a wonderful time reminiscing and looking toward their future. When Ryan's mother visited from Louisiana, she instantly connected with April. In fact, his mother and April went shopping and made a home cooked dinner for Ryan. April always had a way of making everyone feel welcome.

Truly, April had a great energy, as she touched the lives of hundreds of students who took classes at XMA. She appreciated the art of her work and believed that everybody has a talent. Until a week before, she was still teaching. She had a great impact on many of her students. She made time for the kids, her work, stunt people, Eric, her friends and family. There was always a fun memory at every turn. Three weeks ago, she kicked everybody's butt in Go-Karting. She was experienced in precision driving training and it showed on the course.

Last year for her birthday, April threw herself a birthday party and invited stunt people and her friends. She didn't remind anyone about her birthday just days ago, but everyone made sure she celebrated several times over the weekend. At XMA on Friday, they had a cake for her. About 35 kids and their parents sang "Happy Birthday" to April and she loved it. On Saturday, she played a softball game on a stunt league. Because it was her birthday, she made Lucy sing her a song during the game. She chose the song "Eye of the Tiger." Lucy sang the song for her, but April got out on a triple. That evening, she iced down her injuries and then went out dancing for several hours on her birthday with Hayley. On Easter Sunday, Meg made a cake for April's birthday. April also attended services at a Presbyterian Church to celebrate Easter.

The night before, Tiffany talked with April by phone. April was excited, everything was amazing and happening so fast in her career. She said she was having a blast working in the world of film, television and commercials. The morning she passed away, Eric made her breakfast and she grinned from ear-to-ear saying, "I can't wait to call you and talk to you again." She gave him a kiss goodbye and went to work as a stunt double in an upcoming Clint Eastwood movie. She beat out a lot of top stunt people for that position. In fact, she turned down a commercial and work on "Leverage" so she could work on the project. She was doing a great job on the film, because she was following her own rules of determination and hard work.

While April had her family back home in North Carolina, she also had a family of friends who loved her very much at XMA. They will miss her smile and her infectious "little kid" energy. When she smiled, you couldn't help but smile back at her. She was motivational, inspirational, and strong. She loved life and accomplished a lot in a short period of time. Her dream was to do stunts, make a name for herself, move back home to North Carolina, get married, have lots of kids, and open a gym for gymnastics so she could see kids all the time. April was super-excited that she was about to be inducted into the Stuntwoman's Association. The organization has made her an honorary member. In many ways, April went out as the person she wanted to be.

If you knew April, her friend, Ryan, said that you could learn her rules on how to live life:

Check your ego at the door
Have fun with children
Everyone has a talent
Be thoughtful
Always show appreciation
Say thank you
Be willing to help people
Be positive and understanding
Connect with people on their level
Stand up for yourself
Pursue your dreams
The bigger the adventure, the better
Love life, your family and friends
Always smile

With strong beliefs in God and heaven, April read the Bible and did daily devotions. Her faith was important to her. April Stirton was laid to rest in North Carolina. Several gatherings have been held in her honor and memory, including a sunset cruise in Santa Barbara. Her sister, Scarlett, said in her eulogy: "Being next to April was always the best seat in the house." April's advice to everyone would be to smile and do handstands everywhere you go.

April is loved and remembered by her parents Marsha and Bob; sister Scarlett and her husband Chad; brother Bert; niece Jayden and nephew Brock; grandparents Betty Lou and Johnny; a large, loving extended family; the XMA World Headquarters family; many friends and hundreds of students.

Memorial donations are welcome. Donations should be made out to Marsha Stirton.

April Erin, Apey Cadapey, our baby and what her nieces and nephew will know her as – Auntie A

She is the reason I wanted my children close in age. I cannot distinguish my life without hers. Our memories and life experiences – good and bad – are intertwined. We and our cousins were inseparable through childhood, at each other's throats through adolescence and the best of friends through what little adulthood we had. She ripened into so much more than a rare beauty with a smile and a laugh so inviting that you couldn't help yourself thinking that right here, beside her, was the best seat in the house. Her kindness and thoughtfulness came natural and her concern for others was unmistakably sincere. She was witty and goofy in the same visit and how truly lucky you were when you got to enjoy a visit with her.

She was well suited for her life in California. Her country soul embraced the beautiful landscape and her motivated mindset was blissfully busy putting her dream to work. She was so easy to befriend and was surrounded by a community that truly loved her. Her legacy there and here, just as her radiantly positive light, will never diminish. She loved it in California, but her heart was always with us, her family. Those visits home are now and will always be my most cherished memories. Like when she entertained us with handstand push-ups in the hospital while we awaited the arrival of my son Brock or when we latched ourselves together for the three-legged race at Camp Meeting for the team victory.

Nothing comes to mind that April didn't excel at. You may think that growing up with such a dynamic athlete and inarguably the prettiest girl in the room with the most captivating life story would be difficult, but I was her biggest fan. We never missed an opportunity to brag about our April. Whether her countless achievements playing any sport – I often referred to her as the epitome of female athleticism – or her ability to back-flip across the lawn or most recently, what movie she was working on.

Few people live out their dreams or a life without regrets and I am so proud to say that hers was one without question. Her life made her undeniably happy and in turn made us ecstatic and willing to settle for frequent long phone calls and Skype sessions. The whole family enjoyed a Skype date on her 28th birthday Saturday morning and a phone call update about her new Clint Eastwood/Matt Damon movie the night before she was taken too soon. She was her constant self – remarkably happy. Her life there and her heart here were happy. Don't be sad about her life because she wasn't and we certainly aren't. Remember her as we will – the truest blessing of God's creation.

As far as our playful "Whose #1?" game – it's always been you.

Jayden, Brock and Violett Aprilaren will know you. You are forever in our hearts and our stories retold and retold. We love you forever.

Your biggest fan,
Scarlett