Community shows support for family of Bedford County firefighter

People gathered Saturday for memorial service

DALEVILLE, Va. – People gathered Saturday to remember a woman who served her community. There was a memorial service at Lord Botetourt High School in Daleville for Bethany Franklin, who died last weekend in a car crash after working with Bedford County Fire and Rescue for nine years.

There were emotional remarks from family members, who said they appreciate the support from the community.

"They’ve just been so moved by that, by the outpouring of the members from across the region," Bedford Fire and Rescue Chief Jack Jones said.

Members from fire departments from all around the area came Saturday, including Michelle Hutchens, who worked with Franklin.

"There are a lot of things I can smile (about) about Bethany because she just had a magnetic personality where you just wanted to be around her," she said. "You wanted to spend time with her. You wanted to be a part of her life."

Others echoed those sentiments.

"Very caring, very special young lady. We’ll miss her. We’ll miss her greatly," Montvale Rescue Lt. Amy McRoberts said.

In two other tributes, the Bedford County department made a "final call" for Franklin over the radio, played in the auditorium, and the truck Franklin drove was parked outside the service.