One week afterCarley McCordwas killed in the small plane crash near the Lafayette Regional Airport in Lafayette, Louisiana, her family and friends gathered for a private funeral service and burial.
The former sports reporter’s funeral was held on Saturday at St. Jean Vianney Church in Baton Rouge, Louisana, where McCord was a member since birth, according toWDSU.
Memorial services were also held in the church parish hall, where those close to McCord were able to share stories and speak about the 30-year-old sports journalist.
“I’m gonna miss her silly laugh,” McCord’s sister, Kaleigh Pedersen, said, according toThe Daily Advertiser. “I’m going to miss her showing up randomly at my house. I’m going to miss her sporadic stuff and that goofy laugh and her loving my kids. I’m gonna miss her. I’m gonna miss all of her.”
On Sunday, a seat in the press box at the Saints-Vikings game was also saved for McCord with a sign as well as abouquet of white flowers.
Carley McCord/Instagram
On Dec. 28, McCord’s plane was expected to arrive in Atlanta, where she was set to attend a college football playoff game between Louisiana State University and Oklahoma, Steven Ensminger Jr., McCord’s husband, told theAssociated Press.
Ensminger Jr. is the son of Steve Ensminger, who is the offensive coordinator for the LSU football team.
A spokesperson for the Lafayette Fire Department previously told PEOPLE that the plane was taking off from the airport, on its way to Atlanta, when it crashed around 9:20 a.m. on Saturday morning,killing five people.
McCord’s employer, WDSU, also confirmed the news of her death. “It is with broken hearts that we share that WDSU lost a beloved member of our team today. Our hearts are with the McCord and Ensminger families at this time,” the news outletwroteon Twitter.
McCord was born and raised in Baton Rouge, and was a graduate of Northwestern State University and Louisiana State University, according to WDSU.
The New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans, two teams McCord had worked for as an in-game host, alsoissued a joint statement, praising her for her “utmost professionalism.”
“So sad to hear the news about Carley McCord she was always very excited and happy,” Thomaswrote. “The worst part is I saw her reporting yesterday as I was leaving home in the parking lot. Really sad, life is so short really wish I could do something.”
McCord was also thefirst runner-up in the Miss Louisiana competitionin both 2011 and 2012 andauditioned forThe Bachelorin 2013,TheNew York Timesreported.
source: people.com
