Posted on 08/02/2005 8:06:06 PM PDT by SmithL
Margaret Willis remembered Alisha Quillen as the chubby-cheeked fifth-grader who, even when chastised, would still flash a smile.
"She was just laid back," said Willis, Quillen's teacher at Dogwood Elementary School. "She wasn't a troublemaker. Just a sweet, little girl."
Willis joined more than 150 people Monday at Berry Funeral Home in South Knoxville to commemorate Quillen's life.
The 19-year-old was killed Thursday night in a drive-by shooting in Vestal. Witnesses said she was trying to shield a 4-year-old child from bullets when she was struck in the chest and face.
"How many teens do you know who would take a bullet for another person?" said Kara Smith.
Smith, 25, who was present along with a dozen other people during the shooting outside an Edington Road home, suffered a bullet wound to the leg. She said she and Quillen were rapping and listening to songs on the radio when the incident occurred.
Three cars arrived and one of the vehicle's drivers opened fire, she said.
"(Quillen) grabbed the 4-year-old, threw her to me and fell to the ground," said Smith, who was using crutches as a result of her injury.
Quillen's death is so senseless, she said.
"I just hope (the police) catch whoever done it," Smith said.
The Knox County Sheriff's Office, the investigating agency, could not be reached Monday for information about the case.
The child Quillen was protecting was that of her boyfriend, her family said. Her father also had warned her of associating with her boyfriend and feared he was the intended target.
Stepmother Vicky Quillen called her stepdaughter "a hero."
"She didn't deserve to take someone else's bullet," she said.
Vicky Quillen reminisced about her stepdaughter's love of cleaning house, swimming, caring for children and spending time with friends - "this time the wrong ones."
On Monday, family and friends filed past Quillen's casket, some placing roses by her side. Others brushed back her hair and caressed her face.
April "Turtle" Dunaway described her friend as a caring and loving person who was "brave as a lion and gentle as a butterfly."
She and two others are holding a candlelight vigil today for Quillen at 8:30 p.m. at Charter E. Doyle Memorial Park on Martin Mill Pike.
Berry Funeral Home had been collecting donations to help with Quillen's burial costs. Assistant manager Tom King said Monday that they were getting "very close to our goal."
The monetary support of the community has overwhelmed the family, said Kenny Templeton, Quillen's uncle.
"We're thankful for everything," he said. "East Tennessee has really reached out and shown their true volunteer colors and are taking care of their own."
Probably perpetrated by another minor who can't be executed.
Fortunately, outside of our heroes in the military, I've never really had to think about a teenager being willing to take a bullet for another person. What kind of times do we live in when a statement like this is made concerning regular high school kids.
Pathetic.
The same kind Noah lived in. Everyone doing their thing and breaking the law.
Getting there fast.
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