{"id":56281,"date":"2023-04-03T12:26:52","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T09:26:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/armenia23.ru\/?p=56281"},"modified":"2023-04-03T12:26:52","modified_gmt":"2023-04-03T09:26:52","slug":"guests-attend-at-the-funeral-carrying-backpacks-to-fulfill-a-cherished-womans-final-wish-see-the-reason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/armenia23.ru\/?p=56281","title":{"rendered":"Guests attend at the funeral carrying backpacks to fulfill a cherished woman’s final wish. See the reason"},"content":{"rendered":"

Even after she passed away, Tammy Waddell was always concerned about her students.<\/p>\n

The Forsyth County Schools educator in Georgia died of stomach cancer after 30 years of service.<\/p>\n

Donated backpacks were her dying wish for disadvantaged children.The people around her listened, too. <\/p>\n

Her funeral was held in a church, and the pews all the way down the aisle were stuffed with bags.<\/p>\n

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Waddell was employed by the district as both a teacher and a paraprofessional, and she spent time at a number of primary schools. <\/p>\n

In 2003, she earned her certification to teach at the national level.Forsyth County Schools also recognized her as their Elementary Teacher of the Year. <\/p>\n

Before her death in 2018, Waddell had only been retired for a short time.<\/p>\n

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Jennifer Caracciolo, a spokeswoman for the school district, said in a statement, \u2019Tammy was a servant leader that loved students.\u2019<\/p>\n

The donations of school supplies and backpacks made in her honor are a heartwarming gesture.
\nImages of the backpacks worn by mourners at Waddell’s burial quickly gained attention online.<\/p>\n

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In place of flowers, fellow schoolteacher Brad Johnson requested that donations of school supplies <\/p>\n

be made in her cousin’s name for disadvantaged pupils during the funeral. \u2018Being of ultimate service to others.\u2019<\/p>\n

According to Johnson, she was a major inspiration in his decision to seek a career working with children.<\/p>\n

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She was \u2018just as ready to give a hug to pupils in need as she was to give things to students in need,\u2019 he said. <\/p>\n

Kevin Waddell, Waddell’s son, followed in his mother’s footsteps and became a teacher in the same district.<\/p>\n

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His mother, who had been married for 41 years, had also left behind another son and four grandkids, <\/p>\n

all of whom he greatly liked.It didn’t surprise Kevin Waddell that people gave money in her honor. <\/p>\n

On her tribute page, many of her former pupils wrote about how she was the best teacher they ever had. <\/p>\n

\u2018She lived life by loving people and she never concerned about recognition… she was just focused on the love,\u2019 Kevin Waddell said of his wife. <\/p>\n

According to her obituary, Waddell had a strong conviction that education should be available to every child. <\/p>\n

It also requested that in place of flowers during her funeral, contributions be made to Project Link in the form of either a backpack or monetary gift.<\/p>\n

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The Forsyth County school system’s Project Connect collects donations of school supplies and distributes them to students in need. <\/p>\n

The district then performs an annual event in which teachers personally deliver backpacks to their kids’ homes. <\/p>\n

In honor of Waddell, over 130 bags were given to students. Many people believe this was Waddell’s final education experience.<\/p>\n

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Donating to local schools is the message she would attempt to convey at this time. Johnson argued that the location was irrelevant. <\/p>\n

Watch the video below to learn more about Waddell’s life and her commitment to her students.<\/p>\n