RADFORD, Va. – Loved ones are coming together to remember the life of Radford High School senior Marilyn Alley who died after a car crash involving a deer last week.
The auditorium was filled with tears, hugs and heavy hearts as friends and family mourned the loss of Alley.
“I can’t say enough about Marilyn. She was generous, caring, loving. She’d give the shirt off her back to help,” said Radford City Schools Superintendent Robert Graham.
Alley was a soccer player and a member of Future Farmers of America. But her greatest pride came in her faith, something that gives comfort to her family in this dark time.
“It’s never easy to lose a loved one, especially at 17 years old, but just her faith, we know where she is and we know we’ll see her again one day,” said her uncle Andy Shields.
Her loss sent shockwaves throughout the community. Her teammates, friends and teachers all recall memories of their fallen Bobcat.
”I’ve known Marilyn since she was in first grade. As a principal at McHarg, and moving up to being an assistant superintendent, and then superintendent, so it’s hard,” added Graham.
A common sentiment echoed about Marilyn was her passion to help people. She had plans to study nursing at Liberty University.
”That’s the profession that requires people who have huge hearts and have servant attitudes and really want to give to others,” explained Shields.
Alley is now giving the greatest gift, the gift of life.
On Monday, she made her final journey on her honor walk. Her organ donation will help save the lives of six people.
“As a human being on earth, there’s no bigger way to impact another person than to share your life to save theirs,” Shields said.