DUBLIN, Ga. — This week, students and staff at Dublin High School are grieving and honoring a staff member who passed away from colon cancer on Saturday, March 16.
Ydrate Nelson was a site coordinator with Communities in Schools. He helped mentor youth and encourage them to stay in school
Last year, 13 WMAZ spoke with Nelson about his cancer battle, and how he was staying positive.
In the halls of Dublin High School, people have been writing messages and prayers for Ydrate Nelson's family at a memorial table.
Principal Michael Overstreet said Nelson won't be forgotten there.
"That was inspiring to me to know that here's a young man with a terminal illness but he was always giving to our students, and to others," Overstreet said.
He said even in his final days, Nelson took care of others.
"Even during the time in which he was probably- his energy level is so low, he still wanted to come out to the school and greet our students," Nelson said. Students like senior Malachi Payne.
"He showed up everyday, and kept a smile on his face. And going what he was going through, he always tried to keep others happy, as is- as if he wasn't going through anything," Payne said.
While Nelson may be gone, Payne isn't going to forget what he taught him.
"Always keep going in life, and try, and try to look at things on the positive side, instead of the negative," Payne said.
Sophomore Aliya Carswell has a similar story.
"When I lost my mom, and I was going through it really bad, there were times when I just felt alone. And like I just didn't wanna do it no more. I wanted to give up, but he'd- I'd always go to him, he'd let me know I get through anything," she said.
Carswell said he would encourage her to pray, and would pray with her through the tough times. Jackie Pittman Curtis, the executive director of Communities in Schools hired Nelson last summer.
"You could not be down around him. He was just so positive. And it just you know- radiated from him into everyone else," Curtis said.
And while she and others are grieving this loss, they're still thankful for their memories with him. There's a funeral service for Nelson this Saturday, at Dublin High School's Auditorium. It starts at 1:00 p.m. and is open to the public.
To hear folks talk about Nelson and what he meant to them, click on the YouTube video below.