Cox Medical Center helps couple's special day become a reality

All brides dream of their wedding days, wanting everything to be perfect – the dress, the cake, the venue. One local young lady had a very special and memorable wedding day recently – just not the one she had planned.

Makenna Baker Segura met her now-husband Brett Segura in 2023. The pair, introduced by mutual friends, began dating in June of that month. On December 7 of 2025, at the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Silver Dollar City, Brett popped the question. The couple, parents to an 11-month-old son, began planning their wedding for October 30, 2027, nearly two years away.

In January, Makenna's mother, Leanne Baker, asked Makenna and Brett if they could move their wedding date up to September of 2026, as her health was declining. Previously diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer), Leanne knew there were several treatments to try and remained hopeful. January brought the news that her cancer was rapidly spreading.

After undergoing three different treatments, followed by a two-week break, Leanne was given a different treatment on Friday, February 20. She went home following her treatment, but soon became unresponsive and was rushed to the hospital.

Said Makenna, "She did code for a couple of minutes in the ambulance. She was resuscitated and then put under intubation for two days. When she was woken up on Sunday, she couldn't really talk, but she did write stuff down. I told my dad I wanted to get married on Monday. Then, Brett and I went back and told Mom, 'We're getting married tomorrow.' Her eyes got really big, and she smiled and wrote 'Yay!' "

When Makenna left the hospital that day, she headed to Torrid to get a white sundress to serve as a wedding dress and other items they would need for their big day. Meanwhile, Makenna's dad spoke with one of the nurses at Branson's Cox Medical Center, where Leanne was a patient, to see if they could hold a wedding there. The nursing team quickly went to work.

"A local decorator and a photographer (Jasmine Monteleon) donated their time and supplies to pull everything together," said Makenna. "The nursing staff helped and did so much. Nurse Gabby was the one, I believe, that helped get everything done. My grandma got my flowers from Branson Petal Pushers, a local flower shop. The hospital cafeteria donated their cake, cookies and drinks. Everything was pulled together in just a few hours. We had the wedding in a rehabilitation room. My best friend of 20 years, Kristin Ward, drove up from our hometown of Poplar Bluff to marry us, as she had just gotten ordained the day before."

Makenna continued, "My mom struggled to keep her eyes open all day. She did keep her eyes open throughout the whole ceremony. We ended up getting married February 23, 2026, rather than October 30, 2027. It meant the world to me that my mom was able to see it and be there. My mom passed away on February 24."

So far, according to Makenna, married life is good. She added that Brett has really helped her to navigate through this incredibly difficult time.

"My mom was quite literally my best friend. She was talented, bright, kind and so beautiful. We laughed so much together. I called her every single day," said Makenna. "She was my biggest supporter, especially during my pregnancy, C-section and recovery. She was the most perfect grandmother. She loved my son so much and Brantley loved his Nana and adored being around her. She loved all of her grandchildren. Mom made everybody feel loved. I will miss our laughs, our talks, and all of our funny family moments. You have shown me how to raise my child. You have taught me so many lessons I will never forget. This will not get easier, but I will make sure to keep our family together. I will do my best to step in my mother's shoes. I will take care of all of us. 'Til we meet again, Mom, I love you!"

Makenna credits her mom for making ordinary days special. Despite the pain she is currently feeling, Makenna is now extremely grateful to the staff of Cox Medical Center in Branson for pulling out all the stops to make her wedding day one she can look back on with joy. She wishes to thank Nurse Gabby and all of the hospital staff for making this final memory with her mom a reality, and expresses her appreciation to Kristin for performing the ceremony, to the decorator and to Jasmine Monteleon Photography for creating lasting memories of such a special day.

Rest In Peace, Leanne Fate Baker, 11/14/1965 - 2/24/1926.