An Empty Chair in Yellow: How an Alabama Town Honored a Beloved Pre-K Teacher Who Pᴀssed Away Before Graduation

HACKLEBURG, AL — Pre-K graduation is traditionally a day defined by bright smiles, oversized caps, and the chaotic joy of four- and five-year-olds taking their first official steps toward elementary school.

But at Hackleburg Elementary School’s commencement ceremony two days ago, the raw emotion in the gymnasium was palpable. Amid the celebration for the 18 young graduates preparing for kindergarten, there was a quiet, heartbreaking void—and a beautiful tribute to the woman who had been their world.

A Vibrant Life Cut Short

Lesley McCollum was only 33 years old. Known for her deep faith and unwavering devotion to her students, she lovingly referred to her classroom of 18 children as her “little ducklings.” She was supposed to be the one standing at the front of the gymnasium on Sunday, handing out the diplomas, hugs, and high-fives she had looked forward to all year.

Instead, a single chair sat in the center of the room. It was dressed vibrantly in yellow—Lesley’s absolute favorite color.

The tragedy unfolded rapidly last autumn. “Lesley was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on September 11th of last fall,” her husband, Adam McCollum, shared. “She went on chemo six days later. She spent 33 days inpatient and pᴀssed away a day later—October 14th, 2025.”

It has been only seven months since Lesley’s pᴀssing, but the school and the тιԍнт-knit community of Hackleburg made sure her spirit presided over the milestone she worked so hard to help her students achieve.

Carrying the Torch of Kindness

When Lesley pᴀssed, the monumental task of stepping into her classroom fell to two young, talented educators who shared deep ties to her: Alley Elrod, Lesley’s second cousin, and Amber Corado, her close friend.

On Sunday, as the 18 children walked across the stage, it was Alley and Amber who handed out those long-awaited hugs on Lesley’s behalf, ensuring that the warmth Lesley had cultivated in her classroom carried through to the very end of the school year.

Principal Mary Kennedy and the faculty at Hackleburg Elementary continue to mourn the loss of a remarkable educator, but they remain profoundly proud of the enduring foundation Lesley laid for her students during their brief time together.

A Legacy of Faith

While the school honors her memory in the classroom, Lesley’s husband, Adam, is channeling his grief into a mission they had dreamed up together before her diagnosis.

“Before Lesley died, we talked about ways we could reach young people and teach them God’s goodness,” Adam said.

Today, Adam is keeping that promise, traveling to preach at their home church, Hackleburg Baptist, as well as other local congregations, youth groups, and digital platforms. Every single sermon he delivers begins the exact same way.

“I start every message with the story of my wife,” Adam shared. “She was the perfect example of faith.”

Though the yellow chair stood empty on Sunday, the lessons Lesley McCollum taught her “little ducklings” about kindness, resilience, and love were vividly alive in the 18 young graduates walking tall into their futures.

💬 Send Your Love to Hackleburg

The heart of a great teacher lives on forever in her students. Please leave a ❤️ in the comments to offer your prayers, comfort, and best wishes to Adam McCollum, Principal Mary Kennedy, and the entire Hackleburg community, and share this story to honor Lesley’s beautiful legacy.