Serene Cheyenne Felts

On March 2, 2026, Serene Cheyenne Felts passed away at Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem. She succumbed to injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle on Thursday, February 26, 2026, in downtown Hickory, NC. Serene was 7 ½ years old (she would insist the ½ be added).

Serene “Bean” was born at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, NC, on August 13, 2018, to Sarah Starkey Felts and Christopher Bennett Felts. She was sandwiched between her older sister, Vita Joy Felts, who is 13 months older, and her younger brother, Leo Dean Felts, who is 18 months younger. Serene blossomed at the YMCA daycare and flourished in the Dual Language Immersion program at Viewmont Elementary. She eagerly participated in children's services at Northminster Presbyterian Church, typically not raising her hand before talking.

Serene was a non-stop ball of energy with a fierce attitude. She tried out a variety of activities, including gymnastics and soccer. She loved soccer games (primarily for the snacks and playing with friends). She found a home at Stretch-And-Grow, taking dance, musical theater, and yoga. She loved performing and had a natural talent for capturing attention, making people laugh effortlessly. She started taking voice lessons at Hickory Music Factory as a form of vocal therapy. However, it quickly transformed into her weekly, personal 30-minute concert, where she could sing her favorite pop songs and nurture her budding love for musicals. What started as High School Musical, Zombies, and Descendants, gave way to Broadway; Wicked, Annie, Into the Woods, Hamilton, and The Greatest Showman.

There were very few quiet moments with Serene, but when she decided to slow down, she would build intricate LEGO towns. She never used the instructions and created her own versions that suited her play. She loved to play Barbies with her sister, and her brother would join with his Transformers. She consumed books and loved to visit the library.

Serene was an adventurous child who loved burying herself under a sandy mermaid tail at the beach. She looked forward to family camping trips where she played charades until dusk gave way to night, and she could tell stories around the campfire to her captive audience. She made it to Disneyland Paris last summer and explored the Costa Rican jungle with her best friends. She got to dance the night away in light-up tutus and hair bows at concerts, singing along with Maren Morris, Wild Rivers, The Chicks, and Kacey Musgraves.

Serene used clothes as a palette of colors to mix and collide patterns, always resulting in the unexpected. Though costumes were not allowed at school, she would style items so she could regularly wear her K-Pop Rumi jacket or Barbie Cowgirl vest and pants.

Serene was a quick-witted, precocious, and uninhibited child. She would charm adults and leave them awestruck by her forthright observations and clever comebacks, or as she would call them, “roasts.” She understood the world in a way beyond her years. Complex ideas were easy for her to grasp and put into the proper context of everyday life.

Serene always told God she was most grateful for her family in her prayers. Rarely was she in a bad mood, unless you asked her to brush her teeth. She loved to dance in the kitchen with her Mama and snuggle with her Papa. She loved playing in the yard with her brother and sister, creating forts and playsets out of every item in the garage.

Her family invites you to attend her Celebration of Life at First Presbyterian Church in Hickory, NC, this Sunday, March 8th, at 3:00 pm. If you cannot attend in person, a link will be shared on Sunday to watch the service livestreamed.

In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree for her through the link above.

Our little girl could have changed the world. To honor Serene, remember to be bold, be daring, be like Bean.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.caringcremations.net. The Felts family has entrusted arrangements to Caring Cremations Life Celebrations and Funerals at 828-855-3350.