Gabriel McCollum died about 10:45 Thursday morning of critical injuries suffered Wednesday morning in a traffic accident near the school. (See separate story.)
"North Hall Middle Principal Brad Brown reports that the students have been very somber today," Hall County School System spokesman Gordon Higgins said.
"Gabriel's grandfather, who was very close to his grandson, conveyed to NHMS assistant principal Stacy Benton that he wants Gabriel to be remembered as someone who 'loved to do things for other people and to help them in any way that he could.'
Higgins added that North Hall Middle School and Mount Vernon Elementary School are working together to respond to the community's "outpouring of sympathy and concern for the McCollum family."
He said Mountain Valley Community Bank at Quillian's Corner is setting up a special account- the Gabriel McCollum Memorial Fund. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the family may do so at the bank or they may also drop off the funds at (the middle school or Mount Vernon) for deposit."
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/9/241553