Brighten Your Day

Teacher’s Final Wish: Backpacks For Students In Need Fill The Aisles At Her Funeral

June 19, 2025

Tammy Waddell, a beloved elementary school teacher from Georgia, left behind a legacy of compassion that touched hearts far beyond the classroom.

After a long battle with cancer, Waddell passed away at the age of 58. But even in death, her devotion to her students lived on. Instead of flowers, she asked for something more meaningful: backpacks full of school supplies for children in need.

@DrBradJohnson on X

Her loved ones honored her wish in a beautiful way. At her funeral, dozens of donated backpacks lined the aisles—each one filled with notebooks, pencils, and the hope of a better school year for students who might otherwise go without.

“My cousin’s final request at her funeral was backpacks full of supplies for needy students instead of flowers,” wrote Brad Johnson on X. “A teacher to the end.”

@DrBradJohnson on X

He shared that about 100 fellow teachers served as honorary pallbearers, carrying the backpacks out of the service and back to their schools—continuing Waddell’s mission of helping children succeed.

It was a powerful tribute to a life spent giving.