MONTEREY — Heaven welcomed a beautiful, diminutive and spunky new addition Sunday.

Aiden Taunton, the 5-year-old whose bright smile and tough spirit charmed thousands to her support as she bravely battled a rare brain cancer, died Sunday surrounded by her family at her house in Monterey.

The daughter of Collin and Megan Taunton, Aiden had a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG),  a rare form of cancer that grew an inoperable tumor.

For nearly two years, Aiden underwent a series of radiation, chemotherapy and experimental treatments to fight the rare cancer that affects approximately 300 children each year.

Family members announced the news of Aiden’s death on Facebook Monday morning.

“Aiden Hillie Taunton is free from the failing body that kept her in this world. She is now home in heaven,” the posting said. “Aiden had such a desire for life that continued until the end.”

Saddened by the loss, family members said they were thankful that Aiden was free from her troubles.

“While we are shattered, we are also thankful she is playing chase again, playing hide and seek again, she is using that beautiful voice to sing so clearly to Jesus and she was greeted by so many angels,” the Facebook posting said.

Aiden’s journey was one that literally tens of thousands of people in the community and beyond followed through news outlets and social media posts.

The family’s Facebook page has more than 22,000 people following it and more than 3,000 people comments on the post announcing her death.

The family was open about her disease, treatment options and most clearly their Christian faith.

“Thank you all so much for the love that has been shown to us throughout Aiden’s journey,” the family’s Facebook posting said. “I hope each of you carry her with you all the days of your lives.”

Funeral services for Aiden will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Monterey Church of Christ with Jason Sparks officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church.

Aiden is survived by her parents, brother Rustin Taunton and sister Ronnie Anne Taunton along with other family members.

Her battle with DIPG began in 2015 when she was 3 years old.

Behavioral and vision changes led doctors to perform an MRI scan of her. The results revealed the tumor.

After six weeks of radiation treatments and a clinical trial treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Aiden showed signs of improvement, but the trial was later discontinued.

The family then discovered a doctor in England who was testing experimental treatments for DIPG. Aiden was accepted into the experimental treatment program in Bristol, England. After three rounds of treatment, the treatments showed promise, shrinking the tumor.

In December 2016, the tumor stopped responding to treatments and doctors said few options remained.

During Aiden’s treatments, residents from Monterey, Natchez and surrounding communities rallied together to offer prayers for Aiden and her family and raise money for the expenses associated with the expensive treatments.

Bake sales, a fishing tournament, benefit auctions and other fundraisers were organized during Aiden’s 20-month fight.

“Aiden gave us so many gifts in her 5 years, and these gifts we will spend the rest of our lives teaching others about,” her family wrote on the Facebook posting.