Service for Randall shines light on outstanding life

Photo by Ken Ruinard

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Gretchen Randall of Piedmont, a teacher's aide at Hunt Meadows Elementary School, to a hearse after a memorial service at Robinson Funeral Home in Easley.

Photo by Ken Ruinard

A bouquet of flowers is tied to a post at the crosswalk on Wren School Road and Wingington Road in front of Wren High School in Piedmont. Gretchen Randall of Piedmont, a teacher's aide at Hunt Meadows Elementary School, died after being hit by a car Oct. 23 at Wren High School. She was crossing the road after watching a Wren High School football game.

Photo by Ken Ruinard

Wren High School Principal Robbie Binnicker, middle, looks back with a group of school officials at Robinson Memorial Gardens in Easley. Family, friends, and co-workers of Gretchen Randall of Piedmont attended her memorial service at the funeral home, then walked to graveside service.

Photo by Ken Ruinard

Family, friends, and co-workers of Gretchen Randall of Piedmont attended her memorial service at the funeral home, then walked to graveside service for the teachers aide from Hunt Meadows Elementary School.

Photo by Ken Ruinard

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Gretchen Randall of Piedmont, a teacher's aide at Hunt Meadows Elementary School, to a hearse after a memorial service at Robinson Funeral Home in Easley.

EASLEY, SC — Gretchen Randall was remembered Wednesday for her passion for teaching and helping people.

At a memorial service for Randall, the Rev. Jon Feld said mourners should use the moment to create change in their lives and to be more like her.

Randall, 46, was a teacher’s assistant at Hunt Meadows Elementary School in Williamston-based Anderson School District 1.

She died Friday after being struck by a car as she and her 15-year-old daughter, Kristin, walked in a crosswalk on Wren School Road. They were leaving a football game at Wren High School in Piedmont.

Coroner Don McCown said the intersection wasnot well lit, and the driver didn’t see Randall and her daughter.

Kristin Randall was airlifted to Greenville Hospital System.

On Wednesday, Kristin led the family procession into the service at Robinson Memorial Gardens in Easley.

Feld said Randall lived a life dedicated to others.

“Gretchen worked with autistic children and emotionally disturbed teens,” Feld said. “She opened her home and her heart to those struggling with disabilities.”

Among the mourners were several teens, some of them former students of Randall’s. Randall had previously worked at Powdersville Middle School.

Feld said mourners should see Randall’s life as one lived to its fullest and to take her leadership into their hearts.

“As you leave here today, I want you to say, ‘Today I’m going to change. Today I’m going to touch people the way this lady touched lives,’ ” he said.

District 1 Superintendent Wayne Fowler said Randall had a positive effect on the community.

“She will be greatly missed in Anderson School District 1,” Fowler said. “I was at the visitation last night and the funeral today. The outpouring of support for the family over the past few days I think speaks volumes to the way in which Mrs. Randall touched our community.”