As they say, you never know when a teacher’s influence stops, but in this case it never did.

Tammy Waddel was a 58-year-old teacher from Forsyth County Georgia. She worked as a paraprofessional and elementary school teacher for Forsyth County Schools.

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On June 9, she lost her battle with cancer. But when she learned several weeks ago that she wasn’t going to make it, she made a final request for her funeral.

My cousin’s final request at her funeral was Backpacks full of supplies for needy students instead of flowers. A teacher to the end. @TeachersNet @edutopia @EdWeekTeacher pic.twitter.com/eGig25tYwH

— Dr. Brad Johnson (@DrBradJohnson) June 19, 2018

She wanted guests who went to her funeral to bring backpacks filled with school supplies for children in need. When she was still alive, she was actively helping out those who needed help the most.

Her cousin, Dr. Brad Johnson, posted on Twitter to share the impact that Tammy had as many of her guests donated what she had asked for.

“She thought they needed backpacks more than she needed flowers,” Dr. Johnson said.

Dr. Johnson shared another photo showing 100 teachers serving as honorary pallbearers, carrying the backpacks to their schools.

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

— Dr. Brad Johnson (@DrBradJohnson) June 19, 2018

“It was heartwarming,” he said.

Since his post went viral on Twitter, many have been donating backpacks to Tammy’s cause from all over the world.

The 58-year-old educator leaves behind her husband of more than 40 years, her two sons, and grandchildren. One of her sons works as a teacher, as well as both of her daughters-in-law.

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