Family, friends and colleagues gathered Friday to honor a former staff member at the Special Programming for Achievement Network (S.P.A.N.) in Russellville.
In December, former S.P.A.N. teacher and educational coordinator Ed Bragwell passed away following a brief illness at the age of 56.
Last week, friends gathered to remember Bragwell as the S.P.A.N. staff renamed their classroom in honor of him.
“We want to remember his sincere commitment to his students and the dedication he had to them,” said Remona Roberson, coordinator of Russellville’s S.P.A.N.
“Ed Bragwell will always be remembered as our friend.”
Bragwell passed away while students and staff members were off for Christmas break, so they didn’t get to meet together as a group and discuss his death until school was back in session.
“This was something that we talked about doing to honor him.”
State Sen. Roger Bedford read a resolution that was passed by the Senate and a student at the school read a letter prepared for Bragwell’s family.
“He wasn’t just a teacher, he also my friend,” the letter stated.
“He loved his students and the people he worked with. He really had a big heart and I could always rely on him to help me with my schoolwork or just to have someone to talk to. He was always there for me and I still hate that he had to go but I know he is in a better place now watching over all of us.”
Bragwell worked at S.P.A.N. for more than 12 years. He was a member and minister of Five Points Church of Christ, Russellville.
He is survived by his wife, Vickie Kay Bragwell; parents, Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. and Patsy Kathryn Bragwell, Russellville; children, Laura Bragwell McDuffa and husband, Matthew, and Kathryn Fay Bragwell, all of Russellville.