Padgett inspired everyone

The junior class at Flomaton High School gathered behind the visitors stands at the football field Wednesday morning to place their handprints on the newly painted wall in memory of their classmate Keslie Taylor Padgett, 17, who died Monday, Oct. 29, following a long, hard-fought battle with brain cancer.

Kelsie was a 13-year old student at Pollard-McCall Jr. High School when the brain tumor was first diagnosed. People who knew her said she never gave up and kept a positive attitude and a great smile while others were hurting for her.

Flomaton High School Principal Scott Hammond said Kelsie came to Flomaton from McCall in the ninth grade and made an impact on everybody she met.

"She was dedicated," Hammond said. "She came to school this year and sat in my math class when others in her situation wouldn't have."

Hammond said she never complained and always had a smile on her face.

"If we all had the strength she had this world would be better."

Students from all grades gathered around the flagpole Tuesday morning to pay tribute to their classmate.

"It's been real quite around here," Hammond said.

A member of Catawba Springs Baptist Church, Kelsie was a majorette and cheerleader at FHS.

Sarah Anne Fountain and Tracie White not only knew Kelsie as teachers at Pollard-McCall but as a personal friend.

Mrs. White said Keslie and her daughter had been best friends since they were in kindergarten together at McCall. Mrs. White's late husband Hugh was the principal and Kelsie was very close to him and he coached her in basketball.

"She spent a lot of weekends at my house," Mrs. White said. "It's such a big loss. She was a precious, precious girl."

Mrs. Fountain and Kelsie's mother, the former Tracey Chavers, have been friends since the first grade at McCall, played in the band together at Flomaton High School and were both members of the 1995 FHS graduating class.

Mrs. Fountain was the media specialist at McCall when Keslie entered kindergarten.

"I've known her since she was born," Mrs. Fountain said. "I watched her grow up."

"Kelsie was in inspiration to everybody she was around," Mrs. Fountain said. "Even when she had bad days she inspired others."

She recalled Keslie had just undergone a chemo treatment but when her niece Mattie turned 16, Kelsie came back for the party.

"I really knew she was in pain, but she wanted to be there for Mattie," Mrs. Fountain said. "That shows what kind of heart she had."

Mrs. Fountain said Keslie was diagnosed with the brain tumor right before her brother Hugh died.

"She was her own person," Mrs. Fountain said. "She and Mattie had such a bond. They understood the most important things in life – family, faith and friends. She led a Christian life."

She said due to her faith, Keslie was never afraid and added that she saw a quote in the Bible that reminded her of Keslie. Proverbs 31.25 reads "She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future."

Like Hammond, Mrs. Fountain said Kelsie was dedicated in everything she did. She said she saw that dedication many times, but one stands out. While Kelsey was at McCall and battling the tumor it came time for standardized testing. She recalled Kelsie had missed so days due to treatment, but came to school to take the test.

"She didn't have to take that test," Mrs. Fountain said. "She did and she blew it out of the water. That shows you her strength and dedication.

Visitation for Kelsie will be held at 6 p.m. today (Thursday) at Catawba Springs Baptist Church in McCall. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Catawba Springs with the Rev. Jeff Edwards officiating. Burial will be held at Green Acres Cemetery.

In lieu of Flowers, the family is asking people to make donations to the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at 1600 7th Ave., Birmingham, Ala., 35233, attention Dr. Gregory Friedman.

Kelsie is survived by her parents Jeremy and Tracey Chavers of Brewton; two sisters, Kaylee Padgett and Kensley Padgett of Brewton; maternal grandparents, Ed and Mary Chavers of Flomaton; paternal grandparents, Larry and June Padgett of Brewton; and paternal great grandmother, Marie Haley of Arizona.