by CHRISTOPHER CLARK
Intern News Reporter

Appalachian State University criminal justice graduate student Charlaine “Charlie” T. Sybrant was killed in a hit-and-run accident Oct. 18.

A memorial service for Sybrant was held at Temple Baptist Church Saturday in Hickory.

Jordan E. Purdie, junior athletic training major, attended the service along with nearly 60 others, many who wore hot pink clothing in remembrance of Sybrant.

Purdie said he would never forget the service, where Sybrant’s uncle asked anyone who had received a hug from Sybrant during her lifetime to stand up.

“I stood up, looked around, and there was no one still sitting down,” Purdie said.

At Appalachian, Sybrant was widely known for her involvement with residence life. Before the accident, she was serving as residence director for Winkler Residence Hall. 

Jeff Doyle, director of Residence Life, said Sybrant had worked in the residence halls at Appalachian for nearly three years.

Doyle said last spring, Sybrant became the first undergraduate in more than a decade to be given the responsibility of serving as an interim residence director.

Stacy C. Covington, senior history major and president of Winkler Hall Council, remembered Sybrant as a friend who motivated her to become involved in residence life. 

“Charlie was an extraordinary person,” Covington said. “If you were her friend, you knew that she loved you.”

Junior technical photography major Matt J. Ramsey said he would remember Sybrant for her hugs and her dedication to improving the lives of her friends and the students in her residence hall.

Ramsey said whenever a student living in her hall became sick, Sybrant would use her own time and money to put together a care package of medicine and baked goods for that student.

“She was mom away from home,” Ramsey said. “There will never be another person as unique or special as Charlie Sybrant.”

Sybrant had hoped to pursue a doctorate after graduation and eventually open a group home to help children affected by sex crimes.

“Charlie knew exactly what she wanted in life, she refused to settle for less,” Meredith Sigmon, Sybrant’s friend of eight years said.

Sybrant was born July 16, 1987 in Hickory; she is survived by her parents, Dee and Mike Sybrant, and her sister Samantha Merritt.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comments