Candlelight memorial service honors three students

Liberty University held a candlelight memorial service on Thursday, Sept. 12, on the steps of Arthur S. DeMoss Learning Center in honor of three students who died in the last few months. Fellow students and representatives from the Student Affairs, Dean of Students, and Campus Pastors Offices attended.

The Liberty family honored the lives of Joel Wayne Teague, 37, of Danville, Va. who died from complications from acute myeloid leukemia on Aug. 24 following an eight-month battle with the disease; Sarah McKeown, 23,of Vestal, N.Y., who died in her sleep on Aug. 7; and Howard Shaw, 47, of Middleburg, Va., who died on July 4.

Teague was a member of Liberty’s men’s volleyball team and had one semester of student teaching left before earning his degree in Kinesiology with teacher licensure in Health and Physical Education. McKeown was a graphic design major, a member of the varsity crew team, and played the tuba in the Marching Band for three years. Shaw was a second-year residential student at Liberty University School of Law who previously served 20 years in the National Guard.

Family members, friends and faculty and staff shared a few words at the service, remembering the joys each individual brought to the lives of others and taking hope in knowing they each had a relationship with Jesus and are now with Him in Heaven.

Keith Anderson, Dean of Students, spoke from John 14:1-6 and reminded everyone of the hope and encouragement they have in Jesus.

“Today is a day of pain and sorrow, but there is a way we can have peace. That peace is only through Christ Jesus,” he said. “The comfort I want you to know today is that God will bring comforting peace that will surpass all of your understanding.”