Dunwoody United Methodist Church was decorated with four red ribbons on its massive columns Sunday, symbolizing Halle Grace Scott and the three University of Georgia classmates who died with her in a car accident last week.
Halle's was the first funeral of the four. As many as a 1,000 people attended. One by one, family and friends stood at the podium, sharing memories of the young woman who made a lasting impression despite being a month shy of her 20th birthday.
“She had the smile to end all smiles,” Steve Fortenberry, Dunwoody High School business teacher, told the crowd. “She lit up a room.”
Shortly before the funeral Sunday afternoon, her family issued a statement, read by the Rev. Dan Brown, senior minister.
“They would like you to know that they are praying for the family and friends of all the girls who were involved in the accident,” Brown said. “They are also praying for Agnes Kim as she battles her way back from the injuries she sustained in the accident.”
Kim was driving the Toyota Camry that collided with a Chevorlet Cobalt on a country road south of Athens last Wednesday night. Kim was the lone survivor in her car. Funerals for the students are Sunday and Monday with a joint service for two of the women on Tuesday.
“May people have asked how the Scotts are doing. They want you to know that, while this has been a devastating experience in their lives, they are sustained by a faith that believes that, even in the midst of pain and tragedy, Christ is at work to bring healing and wholeness to all.
“In fact, one of the reasons they are choosing to have this service at the church, is because the church dares to look at experiences like this in the face and boldly proclaim that the final word is not death, but live. Halle’s family believed this, and Halle believed this.”
Killed in the horrific accident on Ga. 15 in Watkinsville were: Kayla Leigh Canedo, 19; Brittany Katherine Feldman, 20; Christina Devon Semeria, 19; and Halle, who was 19.
A fifth student, Agnes Yena Kim, 21, of Snellville, remained in critical condition Sunday at Athens Regional Medical Center.
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