Transcript Staff Writer

NOBLE -- Steffanie Lynn Collings was a fighter, but never let her illness keep her from helping others, her pastor said at her funeral Saturday afternoon.

The 18-year-old fought brain cancer for five years before dying Thursday morning, only hours after the law named after her passed the Senate.

Steffanie's Law would force health insurance companies to continue to pay a patient's routine medical costs even if the patient chose to go through a medical trial.

The Collings family chose a medical trial at OU Medical Center as a last resort to save her, and their insurance cut her off. As a result, the family incurred more than $400,000 in medical bills.

Collings supported the bill, which was introduced in the state Senate this year. She lived until her purpose was accomplished, which was perhaps seeing the bill through the Senate, her pastor, James A. Smith, said at her funeral.

More than 200 attended the hour-long service at Truth Church, 4800 Etowah Road in Noble, where Collings attended church. Her family did not speak at the service.

Many cried as she was eulogized and a slideshow was shown. But the overall tone was upbeat, affirming that she was in a better place in heaven.

"I'm gonna miss her, and we in this church are gonna miss her," Smith said. "Her family is gonna miss her. Thank God that for us this is not all there is."

The church erupted in "amens" as Smith asked, "Can I get a witness?"

Smith said Collings began fighting as soon as she first learned she had cancer at age 14.

"For five years, that young lady fought valiantly, a portrait of strength and courage, a portrait of class," Smith said. Adding that she set an example for others by not griping about her illness.

"Steffanie's life had a way of putting things in perspective for me," he said.

She stayed positive through her cancer, Smith said.

"Up to the very end, she would talk about dreams and aspirations for the future," he said.