Parents Left Behind began because of the tragic death of a child. Cameron Bobbitt was just shy of her sixth birthday when she was struck by a motorist as she entered a school crosswalk. Her mother, Dr. Susan Averitt, led the initial efforts to resuscitate her daughter. “It was apparent to me that she died instantly, but we tried to save her. I went from being a happy mom to losing my oldest daughter in the blink of an eye,” she remembers.

Dr. Averitt’s journey through grief strengthened her desire to “make sure something positive comes out of Cameron’s death.” After years of attempting to come to terms with that grief, she decided to honor Cameron’s memory by sharing her story with other grieving parents. On April 5, 2014, she gave the keynote address that launched Parents Left Behind.

Dr. Averitt’s simple retelling of her family’s response to the loss of their daughter and sister opened the floodgates for the parents and loved ones who came to the seminar. Bereaved parents told their own stories and found solace meeting other parents who understood their lonely walk through alien territory.

TaNia Brewer
Executive Director

TaNia Brewer is the wife of Andy and mother of Everly and Norah. TaNia lost her newborn son, Roman, in 2010. After spending months in denial, she found comfort when she met a group of grieving mothers. Her passion in life is supporting grieving parents. TaNia became the president of Parents Left Behind in 2021.

Becky Ivey

Board Member

Becky is a life-long resident and proud citizen of Northwest Arkansas. She is a 1975 graduate of Fayetteville High School and a 1980 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in Elementary Education. Her 38 years of teaching in Springdale are among her greatest achievements. She and her husband, Van, raised their 3 beautiful children Adam, Allison, and Alexander in Fayetteville. Their world was forever changed in July of 2015 with the death of their youngest son, Alexander.
Following Alex’s death, Becky discovered the Grieving Parents Support Group that meets monthly at Rolling Hills Baptist Church. It is here that she found support, encouragement, and help in navigating the realities of everyday life without her son Alex. Hearing the stories of other parents who have lost a child regardless of the age or the circumstances has been a great source of comfort knowing there are others to understand this journey.
The annual JOINED ON THE JOURNEY gathering provided by Parents Left Behind has provided opportunities to facilitate small groups of bereaved parents who need a safe place to share their stories. Becky has developed a passion for sharing her story and listening to the stories of other parents grieving the loss of a child. She believes no one has to be alone in suffering the loss of a child.
In her spare time, Becky enjoys reading, crafting, and traveling with other retired educators. Her only grandchild, Camille, offers lots of opportunities for laughing, loving and living. She is very much looking forward to serving as a board member for Parents Left Behind.

Leigh Deal is a Tennessee native who grew up primarily near Dallas, Texas. After graduating from Baylor University, Leigh spent nearly 15 years in retail management and training and development with The Container Store. In 2019, she left the company to stay home with her three young children, one of whom had recently been diagnosed with infant leukemia. Myra Joy Deal passed away three weeks before her second birthday in 2019 as a result of her relapsed cancer, leaving behind a twin brother, a big sister, a little brother (not yet born), and devastated parents. Leigh, her husband, Kenneth, and their three surviving children moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2023 for a fresh start and the chance to enjoy the nature and peace of NWA. Leigh is passionate about the mission of Parents Left Behind because she knows first-hand the deep grief of losing a child and trying to find a community of people who understand and can support grieving families at all points on the journey. Leigh and her family live in Fayetteville and love hiking, biking, reading, spending time with friends, and splashing in creeks.

Annette Vaughn has served in ministry for 44 years, as a pastor’s wife, Teacher, & Women’s Ministry Leader, & Worship Team pianist. She also worked for 28 doctors throughout Benton County for many years. She is now the Admin. Asst. / Bookkeeper & Payroll Mgr for Adventure Church of Bentonville. In 1980, she lost her son, Danny Nathan, and then in 1988, she lost her 5th child, John William. It rocked her world! She was so grateful when she first heard about Parent’s Left Behind, & began going to the candle-lighting ceremonies at Rolling Hills Baptist Church hosted by pastor - Steve Sheely,... where her healing journey began, as she met other parents who had also lost children, including the founder, Dr. Susan Averitt. All of a sudden, “I realized I wasn’t alone in my loss & that other parents & mothers understood how one’s heart can feel like one can’t move on.” Through years of healing, Annette now desires to help other parents in their healing journey, & treasures hearing other mother’s stories about their children. Annette is mother to three daughters, Lisa, Stephanie & Heather... and “Nini” to four grandchildren, Brayden, Caleb, Ally & Ethan, who are the absolute light of her life!