The family of a five-year-old boy killed by a spider plan to fulfill the child's wish to help African children on Christmas.
Branson Carlisle was bitten by a brown recluse spider at his home in Marshall County, Alabama, and died hours later. Now, his grieving family is trying to make his wish come true.
Branson's mother, Jessica, said that her small son had a big heart.
"He wanted all the kids in Africa to have toys," she told WHNT. "I mean, he was going to give his own toys."
Unfortunately, Branson did not get the chance to ship his toys to underprivileged children. While the family was preparing to go to church on November 23, tragedy struck.
"He asked me to scratch his back," Jessica explained. "He said something had bit him." It turned out a venomous spider had bitten Branson.
"When I went to pick up his shirt the spider was laying beside his shirt," she recounted.
Branson was taken to a local clinic, and was initially in good spirits. Later, however, he closed his eyes, and his heart stopped.
"The only time they got his heartbeat back was the seventeenth time they shocked him," Jessica said, "and they had his heart beating for four seconds, and I had enough time to tell him I loved him."
Despite her tragic loss, Jessica expressed thanks for the short time she had with her son.
"I feel very blessed to have had him, and I'm not going to question it, because it was meant to be," she said.
The family plans to fulfil Branson's wish by giving his Christmas gifts to needy children, and are accepting outside donations. Toys can be dropped off at Freelife Worship Center in Sardis.
