The Phelps family of Marshallville is mourning the loss of their youngest, Donnell Phelps.
He was stabbed to death Tuesday at Fort Valley State University, where he was a freshman.
His family says after he graduated high school, Donnell couldn't wait to start classes at Fort Valley State University.
"He lived and breathed Fort Valley State and he got the chance to live there for a year," Walters said. "It was short-lived, but that was his second home."
Phelps' brother, Donald Walters, says Phelps was a smart kid.
"He was going to be the best of us," Walters said.
Walters says Phelps played basketball and tennis in high school. and also played piano and danced.
"He was very happy, like he'd walk into a room and with a smile on his face," Walters said. "And he has his own fashion sense. It just brightens up your day."
Walters says when they got the call of Phelps' death, he thought they had the wrong guy.
"For someone to intentionally kill him and murder him, is difficult to believe because he's not that kind of soul," Walters said. "He's not that kind of person at all."
The family says they don't blame the school for what happened.
"We would never blame Fort Valley State for that," Walters said. "It was just a human being who was lost and didn't know how to control his emotions."
But they say they'll get through this tough time, because Phelps would want them to be happy.
"Him leaving us physically, and him being here spiritually with us, is going to make our family stronger," Walters said.
