Dakota Rose Garcia, 18, of Sweet Home, Oregon passed away unexpectedly Saturday, October 15. She was born in Pueblo, Colorado.

She was a 2016 graduate of Sweet Home High School and was attending LBCC to pursue her goal of becoming a juvenile probation officer. She recently worked as an in-home care giver and had worked at Safeway and McDonald’s. She attended youth group at Community Chapel throughout high school and played softball, volleyball, soccer and cheer.

Dakota was an outgoing and caring girl who loved spending time with her boyfriend, Casey Reynolds, and her cat, family, and many friends. She always had a bright smile and a hug ready for anyone who needed it.

Dakota is survived by her parents, Jason and Angela Miller, of Sweet Home; father Angelo Garcia of Pueblo, Colorado; siblings Zachary McClure, Racheal Miller, and Tim Miller of Sweet Home, and Ashley Garcia and Rikki Garcia of Pueblo, Colorado; grandparents Harold Westbrook of Sweet Home and Ciriaco “Jimmy” and Kathy Bravo of Pueblo, Colorado; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Norma Torres of Salem.

A memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 22, at Community Chapel in Sweet Home with a reception immediately following. Friends and family are encouraged to attend.

Memorial contributions can be made in Dakota’s name to the Epilepsy Foundation.

The family would like to thank the community of Sweet Home for their outpouring of love and support. Dakota will be greatly missed.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.