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A spirit that is not afraid

Memorial to honor those lost

The memorial is set up at Ross Square. A candle light vigil is scheduled for Thursday at 8 p.m. on Samford lawn. (Danielle Lowe / PHOTO EDITOR)
The memorial is set up at Ross Square. A candle light vigil is scheduled for Thursday at 8 p.m. on Samford lawn. (Danielle Lowe / PHOTO EDITOR)

DEMARIO PITTS

Demario Pitts attended high school in Loachapoka, according to his father, Calvin Ranzie.

He had two 1-year-old children. Pitts has a large family of five brothers and two sisters, according to al.com

"He was a good kid," Ranzie told al.com. "It's been real bad. It's been tough on us."

The location of service has yet to be announced, but will be on Friday, June 15, at 1 p.m.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, at the Harris Funeral Home, Inc. chapel.

Burial will follow in Pine Level Cemetery in Loachapoka.

Arrangements are being handled by Harris Funeral Home, Inc. in Opelika.

LADARIOUS PHILLIPS

After being named to the 2009 4A First Team All-State by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, Ladarious "Dae-Dae" Phillips was known as a humble individual on and off the field.

"(Phillips) was an unbelievable high school football player," said Phillips' high school football coach Mike Battles. "Great personality, got along with folks, popular-everything you could want from a high school football player and more.

From the small town of Roanoke, Ala., Battles said Phillips was a rare specimen.

"They won't see the likes of someone like him in Roanoke Alabama for years and years to come," Battles said. "He'll be missed-He was something."

Phillip's grandmother Brenda Phillips told the Anniston Star how his easy-going attitude was apparent all the time.

"Every time you'd see him, he was smiling," Brenda said. "He would come in there and hug me and kiss on me. A lot of time, he'd let me come in there and kiss on him."

Services will be Friday, June 15, at 1 p.m. at the Handley High School gymnasium at 100 Tiger Circle in Roanoke.

The Rev. Harvey Jones of Rehope Baptist Church will be officiating.

Visitation will be held prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the gymnasium.

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Burial will follow in Rehope Baptist Church Cemetery at 5267 County Road 258, Roanoke, Ala.

Arrangements are being handled by Frederick's Funeral Home in Opelika.

ED CHRISTIAN

Graduating from Lowndes High School two years ago, Ed Christian was revered by his former high school football coach Randy McPherson.

"Ed was a fine young man who made the Lowndes County School System proud," McPherson said. "We are saddened by the news of his death and share in the grief of his family. As a school system, we are grateful for the contributions Ed made to us and to our community."

Christian, a red-shirt freshman from Valdosta, Ga., never appeared in a game at Auburn, but worked hard during practice and focused on improving himself physically and mentally.

"Workin my A** off every day," Christian said in a Facebook comment in August 2010. "Auburn football is life..."

Christian suffered a back injury in 2011 and was placed on medical hardship scholarship.

Christian's girlfriend, Kayla Timmons, told al.com that Christian and her talked about his life away from football.

"After a while, it got better. We went to two games and he loved it. He got to cheer on his teammates and watch football from a fan's point of view, and that was really a blessing to see him be OK and accept that," Timmons said.

In a facebook post in November of 2010, he said, "Family - one heart beat."

Services will be Saturday, June 16, at 1 p.m. at the J.E. Mathis Municipal Auditorium at 2300 N. Ashley St. in Valdosta, Ga.

Public visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, June 15, at BTW Funeral Services at 1108 E. Screven St. in Quitman, Ga.

A private family visitation will also be held on Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. in the same location.

Burial will follow in Boston City Cemetery in Boston, Ga.

Arrangements are being handled by BTW Funeral Services in Quitman, Ga.


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