“A teacher till the end.”

A life well-lived looks different depending on who you talk to or what you decide is important. Most people, however, can agree that our time on Earth is a brief window of opportunity to not only better ourselves but also improve the well-being of those around us.

For some, the window of opportunity is cut short, but that doesn’t mean their life was any less impactful.

This is especially true for one very special teacher from Georgia by the name of Tammy Waddell.

Tammy sadly lost her battle with cancer at just 58. Her last wish was to have friends and family donate backpacks full of supplies instead of bringing flowers to her funeral.

Tammy knew that there was a need in her school district and many students did without. This wish did not surprise anyone who knew her. From the first time they met her, staff and students were won over by her selfless nature.

Waddell’s fellow teachers, friends and family jumped at the chance to honor her very special wish.

Brad Johnson, Waddell’s cousin, tweeted a photo from her funeral showing the backpacks filled with supplies. The photo went viral and he started receiving messages and deliveries from as far away as the UK.

Honorary pallbearers… Teachers who had taught with her through the years… pic.twitter.com/CyB2pBbBNy

— 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 (@DrBradJohnson) June 19, 2018

“She would be incredibly embarrassed,” said Tammy’s husband Mike Waddell. “She was one of the most humble people.”

“She would be excited about so many kids being helped, but she would be really embarrassed that her name is tied to it. She would have the sense of pride, but she never wanted credit for stuff. She just wanted to do the right thing.” – Mike Waddell

Beautiful…and now she is an angel watching from above!

— Dorothy Wright (@dwintel17) June 19, 2018

What an incredible act of kindness and one that will be remembered. I am inspired.

— Ginny Gills (@GinnyGills) June 19, 2018

The backpacks kept coming and were delivered to local schools in Tammy’s district.

“These came from all over the country and the world. We actually got a package from Great Britain with several book bags in it, also. This is a global initiative.” – Brad Johnson

Tammy’s son, Kevin, wasn’t surprised by the response they got. He knew his mother had touched so many lives over the course of her life and her career.

“We were touched when we saw the outpouring of love and support that came from those whose lives were touched by my mother. However, we were not shocked as the inpouring of love was just a return of all the love that she had put out into the community and the world during her life.” – Tammy’s son, Kevin Waddell.

Tammy was thought of as a person who believed every child deserved the chance to learn and be inspired.

Tammy was an educator in the Forsyth County School District for thirty years. She was recognized by the district as the Elementary Teacher of the Year and her legacy of unconditional love and generosity will not be forgotten.

Waddell is a reminder of how special teachers are to not only the students but to the community as a whole. The Tammy Waddell Memorial Scholarship has been set up in her name to support students who plan to pursue a teaching profession.

We thank Tammy for inspiring the world with a simple gesture of goodwill.

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Source: mypositivethoughts, forsythnews.com – Kelly Whitmire, wpxi.com, macdonaldandson.com, Pexels, WBRC Fox6 News