A selfless teacher from Georgia left the world as she lived it: as a dedicated servant to her students.

Tammy Waddell, an  elementary school teacher, had already beaten colon cancer once and was in remission. But when it came back, she was told she would not be able to live much longer.

Knowing this, the 58-year-old asked her family to give her one simple dying wish—for mourners to donate backpacks with school supplies for underprivileged kids, in lieu of flowers for her funeral.

“Her final lesson was about serving others. That [was] what she had done her whole life,” her cousin, Dr. Brad Johnson, said.

Waddell died on June 8, and the photos from her June 12 funeral showed dozens of backpacks lining the pews of the church.

Twitter: Dr. Brad Johnson

They were donated by friends, colleagues, and loved ones who wanted to honor her wish.

“She had about 100 teachers as honorary pallbearers who carried the backpacks out and back to their schools,” Johnson added. “It was heartwarming.”

Twitter: Dr. Brad Johnson

Her obituary read: “Tammy served the children and community of Forsyth County for thirty years as a paraprofessional and elementary teacher in Forsyth County Schools. She had a passion for literacy and believed that every child deserved an opportunity to learn.”

She was named the county’s Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2003, and served 25 years in Forsyth County.

Twitter: Dr. Brad Johnson

After her family shared the touching story online, people from around the world started sending donations as well.

“She was the kind of teacher who always had a hug for students who needed it,” Johnson said. “She often spent her own money on supplies to give to the students who needed it.”

Donations can still be made in Waddell’s memory to Project Connect through Forsyth County Schools at the main office, 1120 Dahlonega Hwy. in Cumming, or by calling the school district at 770-887-2461.

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