Flags To Fly At Half-Staff For School Crossing Guard

MABLETON, GA — Georgia's governor has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in Cobb County on Friday and Saturday to honor a school crossing guard who died last week in the line of duty. On Nov. 30, Edna Umeh, 64, "was tragically killed as she conducted her duties" in front of Lindley Middle School in Mableton, Gov. Nathan Deal said Thursday in an executive order.

Umeh, who lived in Austell, "proudly served the citizens of Cobb County and gave her life while ensuring the safe passage of students walking to school," the executive order states. It goes into effect Friday and runs through sunset on Saturday, when Umeh will be buried at a church in Mableton.

Umeh's friends and family came together for a vigil on Tuesday evening at Harmony-Leland Elementary School and staged a safety walk to Lindley Middle School to call for reducing traffic hazards along the busy road where she died, according to media reports.

On Nov. 30, Umeh was directing traffic on Veterans Memorial Highway, in the school zone in front of Lindley Middle School, when an Uber driver struck and killed her. Her family members say that changes need to be made to the highway to prevent such accidents in the future, and they called on Cobb County and state officials to crack down on drivers who speed through school zones.

Cobb County's police chief said that officers are stepping up traffic enforcement in the area around the school and working to improve safety for pedestrians and drivers. The police are investigating the Nov. 30 accident, and charges are expected to be filed against the driver.

In addition, state and county traffic engineers will conduct a corridor safety audit on the stretch of Veterans Memorial Highway where the fatal accident occurred.

The Cobb County School District announced Thursday that it will lower the Georgia flag to half-staff on Friday until sunset on Saturday in accordance with the executive order. “It is a touching and fitting tribute to our dedicated employee who was a loving sister, mother and grandmother," school Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said in a statement.

On a GoFundMe page set up in her honor, the friends and relatives of Edna Umeh announced that she will be laid to rest at 1 p.m. Saturday at Vision for Souls Church at 6519 Factory Shoals Road SW in Mableton. To make a contribution for her funeral expenses, please click here.

Image: Edna Umeh (GoFundMe)