HANOVER COUNTY, Va. -- Family and friends are remembering the life of Renee Parr.
The 30-year-old mother, wife and teacher died Monday after her heart suddenly stopped.
"She lit up a room anytime she walked in," said close friend Emily Young.
Parr married her high school sweet heart and the two had a two-year-old daughter together.
"She's helped me become the woman I want to be, the mom I want to be," said Sabrina Minter.
A makeshift memorial has been set up at the entrance of Mechanicsville Elementary School. Parr had taught first grade at the school since 2006.
"She probably would have been most spirited," said close friend Lacey Thurston, "If they had a character dress up day or some kind of school spirit day she was dressed to the hilt."
Parr was born in Mechancsville and graduated from Radford University. Along with teaching at Mechanicsville Elementary, Parr was also a cheer coach at Atlee High School, her own alma mater.
Parr's close friends said that their group has become even closer since her passing.
"There's going to be a pretty big hole where she's made an impact on a lot of people's lives," said Young. "She's going to really make us appreciate life and appreciate the small things."
Renee's Cheerios Fund has been setup in her honor to benefit the students of Mechanicsville Elementary School. Donations can be sent to:
Hanover Education Foundation
Attn: Renee's Cheerios
P.O. Box 1297
Ashland, Va. 23005
