Layla Faith Gallagher, 14, departed this life on Friday, February 20, 2026.

Layla Faith was born on August 11, 2011, in Lynchburg, Virginia to Lara Starfire and Patrick Gallagher.

Known to her family as Layla, and Faith to her friends, she was a joy to all who knew her. She was kind, loving, and funny, and she always put others before herself. She was incredibly passionate about music, playing in the Marching Band at Brookville HS, Lynchburg City Combined Indoor Drumline, Lynchburg Symphony Youth Orchestra, and most recently Rustburg Indoor Drumline. She loved learning new instruments, most recently saxophone. Piano was her favorite, and she played many percussion instruments. She could also be found with her ukulele singing at an open mic or at her mother’s shows, using her stage name, Aleksei. She was an avid painter and incredibly talented digital artist. Her career goal was to become a neurosurgeon, as she was incredibly curious about the working of the human brain. She volunteered in many clubs and organizations, such as Key Club, FBLA, FFA, Scholastic Bowl, Cars & Coffee Lynchburg, and many more.

Layla Faith is survived by her mom and stepdad, Star and Steve Crist; her dad, Patrick Gallagher; her sisters, Hope (and Douglas) Byler, Hailey (and Vincent) Monetti, Lacy Gallagher, and Jocelyn Gallagher; grandparents, Wendy and Bryan Gallagher, Cyndi and Mike Abell, Lynne and David Shaw, Sharon and Bobby Austin, and Nina and Sam Crist; great grandmothers, Pat Stoddard and Barbara Gallagher; her closest aunt, Lauren Gallagher; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; much extended family; her little “sister” puppy, Pepper; her special friend, Bradley Sy; and many loving friends in the community.

A visitation honoring Layla Faith’s life will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A celebration of her life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Freedom Word Church, Spout Spring.

In lieu of flowers the family would like to focus on bringing light to suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and teenage bullying. There are links set up on social media to further support the needs of the family. #LaylaFaith

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.