At a Georgia teacher’s funeral, all of her loved ones attended carrying school supplies-filled backpacks.

In her last moments, Tammy Waddell asked that everyone who came to pay their respects provide school supplies for underprivileged kids.

The really poignant gesture gained widespread attention on the internet. On June 9, 2018, Waddell passed away from stomach cancer.

As per the 58-year-old’s request, her obituary recommended that donations be donated to Project Connect, a nearby initiative that gives backpacks to underprivileged youngsters,

in place of flowers, according to Good Morning America. Waddell worked as a teacher at Cumming Elementary School, Sawnee Elementary & Primary Schools, and Haw Creek Elementary School.

‘Every child should have the chance to learn, and Tammy was an avid supporter of literacy. Despite all of her accomplishments and honors,

none surpass the countless lives she touched throughout her thirty years in the teaching profession.

The obituary stated that Tammy Waddell’s ‘passion for children in need” should be honored by bringing backpacks

full of school supplies instead of flowers or by making a donation to Project Connect in her memory.

Positive comments have poured in on social media as the poignant pictures of hikers arranged in rows at church benches went viral.

Brad Johnson, Waddell’s cousin, tweeted the pictures. Johnson, a colleague teacher, described her as the type of person who always had her students’ best interests in mind.

‘This is a reflection of her heart and the kind of teacher she was.’All along, she was a teacher first and foremost, Johnson said to CNN.

She gave me a lot of inspiration to do everything I have. Johnson continued, ‘She was just as quick to give a hug as she was to give supplies to students who needed them.’

Waddell had spent thirty years as an educator in Georgia’s Forsyth County Schools. In 2003, she received another honor: county elementary school teacher of the year.

To commemorate Waddell, Tes Resources, a nonprofit that supports educators globally, reached out to Johnson.

He was informed by the group that they intended to donate thousands of school supplies to youngsters in Forsyth County.

Her son, Kevin Waddell, stated that it was not unexpected that her ultimate wish was to assist students.

‘My mother’s enthusiasm for teaching was one of the things I cherished about her. It’s among the things that inspired me to pursue this career,’ said Waddell, a teacher.

People from as far away as Britain have offered to give backpacks in honor of her after seeing pictures of the backpacks at her funeral.

Kevin, who asked people to support their local schools, added, ‘She lived life by loving others and she was never worried about attention… she was just focused on the love.’

‘At this point, she would try to convey the message to donate to your local schools. It’s not required

to be precisely here.’ Thousands of people retweeted Johnson’s message, and they sent heartfelt comments.

According to Paul Holbrook, a funeral home representative, ‘that day we received roughly about 130 backpacks filled with school supplies

anything a student would need for at least half of the school year and they continue to come in.” ‘Tammy had a great heart for kids and was a servant leader.

‘The kind donations of supplies and backpacks in her honor are a heartfelt remembrance,” Forsyth schools spokesperson Jennifer Caracciolo told AJC.

‘Even in death, she’s still teaching every one of us,’ stated Johnson. In addition, Waddell leaves behind her 41-year-married spouse, B J Waddell, a second son, and four grandchildren.