She was lovable with an unforgettable smile, and Halle Grace Scott was passionate about her faith. People simply gravitated toward her, an aunt said during Halle’s funeral Sunday afternoon.
“It’s not so easy to be so easily loved,” Meg Scott Copses said.
About 1,000 people filled Dunwoody United Methodist Church to celebrate Scott’s life Sunday afternoon. Scott, 19, was one of four University of Georgia students killed in a car crash last week, and hers was the first funeral. Light rain fell as those who loved Scott filled the church sanctuary and spilled over to a parlor room, where the service appeared on a large screen.
It was the same church where Scott had been baptized and confirmed. The place where she participated in youth group activities including mission trips and retreats.
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.”
Fortenberry joked that Scott had a 8.2 GPA — she was that good of a student. And when he encouraged his finance students to learn about investments, it wasn’t money that interested Scott. Instead, it was her investment in others and her desire to take advantage of every moment, Fortenberry said.
Fortenberry then had those attending take a moment to honor Scott by hugging those seated on each side. Take the time to let others know how much you love them, he said.
Danielle Jones cried as she spoke of her best friend. She and Scott had met as 3-year-olds in church pre-K and had remained friends since. There had been beach trips, dances, birthdays and a senior cruise. One year on Scott’s birthday, the two had gotten up extra early to watch the sun rise at Stone Mountain.
Though they had gone to different colleges, Jones and Scott still talked every day. Jones, in a black dress with a single red flower corsage, wiped back tears as she spoke.
“I will carry her love and memories with me forever,” Jones said. “Halle, I will love you forever and ever.”
An uncle, Kevin Feckoury, called Scott the kind of girl every parent wants their child to become. His memories of her as a child were still fresh, though it had been years since he’d received a favorite Christmas card with Scott and her older brother standing in front of a decorated tree.
Scott’s brother, William, was looking at the camera when the picture was taken, Feckoury said. But Halle was focused on the brother she adored, the same brother she would follow to UGA.
There were tears, but there were also laughs as memories were shared. Feckoury said when his niece had learned about Lent as a child, she decided to give up cheese, a food she loved. While having a snack, she asked for a piece of sliced cheese and her mother, Valerie, reminded of her vow, Feckoury said.
“I didn’t give up square cheese,” young Halle had replied.
Rev. Dan Brown closed the ceremony acknowledging that words alone weren’t enough to remember Scott.
“What do you say when a whole state — a whole state — tries to make sense of something so senseless?” he said.
In Latin American churches, Brown said, names are read of those who have died and the congregation replies “present.” It’s way to show their presence is there, Brown said.
“Halle Grace Scott,” Brown said.
“Present,” those attending replied. It was repeated twice more.
As the funeral ended and those attending quietly walked to a reception, the rain had stopped outside as the sun began to set.
The funerals for Scott’s classmates will be held Monday and Tuesday. Visitation for Christina Devon Semeria, 19, is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at Birmingham United Methodist in Milton. Her funeral will follow at 7 p.m. at the church.
A joint funeral is planned for 3 p.m. Tuesday for Kayla Leigh Canedo, 19, of Alpharetta, and Brittany Katherine Feldman, 20, at North Point Community Church in Alpharetta.
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