A crash in Atlanta claimed the lives of three people on May 23. Stillman College student Sieas Elliott, Stillman alumni Destiny Gardner and Varick Lawrence were killed.
The Tuscaloosa liberal arts college announced the deaths in a press release.
“This is a terrible tragedy for everyone in our Stillman family,” said Dr. Yolanda Page, the college’s president. “The spirit of each of these proud Stillmanites will live on with all who were greeted by their warm smiles and welcoming personality. The entire Stillman College community mourns this heartbreaking loss. We extend our sincere condolences to their families, friends, classmates, and teammates during this incredibly difficult time.”
Lawrence, also a former baseball player, graduated in 2023 and worked as a baseball coach in the Atlanta metro area.
Elliott, a former baseball player at Stillman, was set to return to the school in the fall as a student assistant baseball coach.
Gardner, of Montgomery, was the 2021-2022 Miss Stillman. She graduated in 2022 with a degree in criminal justice. At the time of her death, she was working as a juvenile officer at the DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center.
Lawrence and Elliott were parents of a young child.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life of two former student-athletes, Sieas Elliott and Varick Lawrence, and Miss Destiny Gardner,” said Terrance Whittle, director of athletics. “The Department of Athletics wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family of these young persons whom all had an invaluable imprint on Stillman College.”
Whittle said the students’ legacies would live on at Stillman.
He said Varick and Sieas were like sons to him.
“I will never forget the spirit and connectedness of heart and brotherhood they brought to my life and all those that walked with us,” he added.
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