UNA confirmed the death of a former student Savonte Simpson April 19.

Simpson died April 16 in Rogersville, according to the Grace Memorial Funeral Home in Sheffield.

Junior Berklie Nix said Savonte was a joy to be around.

“I never heard Savonte say an unkind word about anyone,” she said. “I never saw him without a smile on his face.”

A public viewing will be April 20 at noon at Grace Memorial Funeral Home. The funeral will be 1 p.m. April 21 at Ekklesia Ministries in Sheffield. The burial will be at Civitan Cemetery.

Student Counseling Services is offering support for students who are having a hard time with this news. Contact them at 256-765-5215.

“This is a stressful time of the semester, in addition to being affected by grief,” said Director of Student Counseling Services Lynne Martin in an email. “The staff of Student Counseling Services is here to answer questions and provide supportive care related to stress and grief symptoms you may experience.”