Ivey Marie Christine Birch & Ava Kimberly Kathleen Turner

Ivey Marie Christine Birch was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, on August 19, 2014. She passed away in Chesterfield, Virginia, on March 1, 2024.

Ava Kimberly Kathleen Turner was born in Stockbridge, Georgia, on July 26, 2018. She passed away in Chesterfield, Virginia, on March 1, 2024.

They are survived by their mother, Sydney Birch; and fathers, Joshua Treat and Ryan Turner; brother, Kash Turner; their grandparents, Tracy Ross (Mimi), Shane (Pop-Pop) & Melissa Birch, Kimberly Boyes (Nana), Jeffrey Turner (Grandpa), Heather Lyn Treat, David Lagana, and Brandon Palko; their aunts and uncles, Logan & Christina Birch, Nadia & Tyler Brown, Makenna Bynum, Keith Birch, Ian Smalley, Chance Birch, and Declan Palko; great-grandparents, Michael & Joy Ross, Danny & Mary Ellen Birch, Kathleen & Patrick Boyes, Beverly Ann Treat, and Steve & Carolyn Caspary; and many cousins, extended family, and friends.

They are preceded in death by their grandfather, Keith Smalley; great-great-grandmother, Bridget Johnson; and uncle, Austin Ennis.

Ivey and Ava shared a beautiful bond as sisters. The pair did everything they possibly could together—if you saw one, the other was rarely not far behind. Each was the other’s best friend, supporter, and protector, and the love they held for each other was clear to all who met them. They also shared an abundant adoration for animals, playing at the park, doing arts and crafts, and watching movies and TV shows together.

Ivey had an adventurous spirit and was always trying new things. Not a tree went unclimbed nor flower unpicked with Ivey around. She was a natural athlete and loved gymnastics and soccer. Ivey was a social butterfly who loved entertaining those around her with magic tricks and knock-knock jokes. While she used the ability for good, Ivey was also infamously sneaky—she would regularly hide notes and drawings for her loved ones to find. Ivey’s favorite colors were pink and blue. Her nicknames in the family were Doodlebug, Peapot, and Caterpillar.

Ava was naturally drawn to people—everyone she met was immediately her new best friend. You could always anticipate Ava running up to give you a hug whenever you saw her. She brought joy into every room she entered with her adorable laugh and her contagious smile. Ava always offered her help to anybody who needed it, especially to those younger and smaller than her. She loved food, and could always be counted on to finish her mac & cheese (and yours). Ava’s favorite colors were yellow and orange. Her nicknames in the family were Mingo, Butterbean, and Avocado.

Instead of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Metro Richmond Zoo, https://pos.metrorichmondzoo.com/metrorichmondzoo/checkout/default/addtocart/add/2758 , in remembrance of Ivey and Ava, or to the families fundraising page, https://gofund.me/95608dc8 . A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. The family will receive friends after. The family asks that guests wear vibrant colors in their memory.