Teacher Asked For Backpacks Full Of Student Supplies At Her Funeral Instead Of Flowers, And Her Wish Was Granted

A dedicated Georgia teacher who died aged 58 from stomach cancer stated in her obituary that instead of flowers, everyone should bring school supplies and backpacks to her funeral to be given to students in need.

Tammy Waddell had taught at three schools during her long career, Sawnee Elementary & Primary Schools, Cumming Elementary School, and Haw Creek Elementary School. She was previously named elementary school teacher of the year in the county.

In her obituary, it was stated:

"Tammy had a passion for literacy and believed that every child deserved an opportunity to learn. 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. In lieu of flowers, please bring backpacks filled with school supplies to honour Tammy's passion for children in need or make a donation in memory of Tammy Waddell to Project Connect."

Images of the backpacks inside the church where her funeral took place soon went viral online.

Honorary pallbearers... Teachers who had taught with her through the years... pic.twitter.com/CyB2pBbBNy

— 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 (@DrBradJohnson) June 19, 2018

Brad Johnson, a cousin of Waddell, shared the images, and said:

"This was just the kind of teacher she was, and this is a reflection of her heart. She was a teacher first, all the way. She was very inspirational in me achieving all that I have. She was as quick to give a hug as she was quick to give supplies to students who needed it."

While her son added:

"Part of what I loved about my mom was the passion she had as a teacher. It's one of the inspirations that led me to the profession. She lived life by loving others and she was never worried about attention … she was just focused on the love. The message she would try and deliver at this point is to donate to your local schools. It doesn't have to be here specifically." Johnson tweet received thousands of retweets and heart-warming replies from users."

Paul Holbrook, a spokesman for the funeral home, stated:

"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 was a servant leader that loved children. The generous backpack/supplies donations in her memory is a touching tribute."

I know on Thursdays we usually share a #FeelGoodThursday, but today we wanted to tell you a story that we heard about an incredible teacher.
Thank you @DrBradJohnson pic.twitter.com/hVECbqqclJ

— Tes Resources (@TesResources) June 21, 2018

[h/t: Upworthy]