Tammy Waddell passed away on June 9 after a prolonged illness, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.
But instead of flowers, devoted Tammy had one last request.
In her obituary, the teacher asked that mourners donate backbacks full of school supplies for underprivileged kids – instead of flowers.
And in a moving photo shared by Tammy’s cousin Dr Brad Johnson via Twitter – it’s clear that Tammy’s students made her final wish happen.
‘My cousin’s final request at her funeral was Backpacks full of supplies for needy students instead of flowers,’ Brad wrote alongside the image of backpacks lined-up next to the pews of the church at her funeral.
‘A teacher to the end. @TeachersNet @edutopia @EdWeekTeacher,’ he added.
Brad went on to say Tammy’s fellow teachers had been honoured to help out.
‘She had about 100 teachers as honorary pallbearers who carried the backpacks out and back to their schools. It was heartwarming,’ he wrote.
The heartwarming gesture moved followers on social media.
‘The grace to make this request is amazing. That chapel full of backpacks is a garden full of hope that will spread far beyond. I’m so sorry for your family’s loss,’ one supporter wrote.
‘Love that! Garden full of hope indeed! :-)’ Brad replied.
This article originally appeared on New Idea.
