In accordance with one woman’s final wish, there were backpacks lining the pews at her funeral instead of flowers.
Tammy Waddell passed away earlier this month at the age of 58 from a prolonged illness at Northside Hospital-Forsyth in Georgia, but before she died, she asked for people to bring backpacks filled with school supplies to her funeral.
Waddell worked as a paraprofessional and teacher at several schools in the Forsyth County school district. At one point in her 30-year career, she was even recognized as Teacher of the Year.
So when she utilized her funeral as a means of giving back to her students one last time, no one was surprised by the compassionate gesture.
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“Those around her recognized Tammy by her generosity, selflessness and unconditional love,” says her obituary. “Though her achievements and accolades are numerous, none are greater than the many lives that she changed over the course of her three decades in education.”
Waddell’s cousin, Dr. Brad Johnson, posted a photo of the unique funeral feature to Twitter where it garnered praise and condolences.
“My cousin, a teacher, wanted backpacks with supplies brought to her funeral instead of flowers for needy students,” Brad Johnson said on Twitter. “Serving others to the end.”
The backpacks will be donated to Project Connect: a school district initiative that donates school supplies to the region’s neediest students.
My cousin, a teacher, wanted back packs with supplies brought to her funeral instead of flowers for needy students. Serving others to the end. #satchat #edpiper #edchat pic.twitter.com/4MpCfI94Q4
— Dr. Brad Johnson (@DrBradJohnson) June 16, 2018
Be Sure And Share This Sweet Story Of Generosity With Your Friends – Photo by Dr. Brad Johnson