WILKINSON COUNTY, Ga. — On Thursday, friends, family members and Wilkinson County High School staff gathered to celebrate the life of 16-year-old Darian Destiny Kirkpatrick, known to her friends and family as "Turtle" Sanders.
"She knew everybody and she always made everyone laugh and happy," friend Hunter Bennett said.
Last Saturday, Turtle lost control of her car, hit a tree and died from her injuries.
Turtle was known as the fun yet reliable friend so to many in Wilkinson County. So when she died, it was shocking to the people who knew and loved her.
"We hung out, and I always felt very welcome around her and her family," friend Trinity Robinson said. "I didn't think it was real. I didn't believe it, it still doesn't feel real to me but I'm getting through it.”
On Thursday, they all got together to share stories, pictures and to talk about how much of an impact Turtle made in their lives.
Maggie Reeder, a friend of Turtle's, talked about how outgoing she was.
"Her just being crazy like she would just run around the room dancing and singing and stuff, and I really remember just how much joy she had in everything and how she really portrayed Christ," Reeder said.
Turtle was heavily involved in her community, according to Wilkinson County High School's memorial of her. She was active in the Wilkinson County High School's drama club, their Beta Club, The National Honors Society, and she was a dual enrollment student.
Turtle was also dedicated to her faith and to her church community. She was known to go over to the quiet kids and talk to them to cheer them up.
"She was just so good at loving on people and showing them the love of Christ," Reeder said.
Now after the celebration of life and a school assembly, her friends and family know they have each other to lean on for love and support.
"I just think she would love to see all of her friends coming together, and sticking together, and grieving together, and loving together, and sharing stories and pictures and stuff," Reeder said.
Friends of Turtle have organized a car wash fundraiser to help her family pay for funeral expenses. It's this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 148 Sheppard Street in Toomsboro in Wilkinson County.
