It is with heavy hearts and very tender feelings that we announce the loss of a dear member of our Southern Virginia University family. On Monday, July 1, Sydney Taylor Hathaway passed away unexpectedly in Pecos County, Texas, as a result of a tragic car accident.

Sydney was a model student and the epitome of a leader-servant. She had recently received a mission call to the Brazil Fortaleza Mission and was spending time with her family in Texas while preparing to report to the Missionary Training Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil on August 21.

On behalf of the entire Southern Virginia University family, we send our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences to the Hathaway family and mourn with them during this difficult time.

Memorial services for Sydney will be held on Saturday, July 6, in Beaumont, Texas: http://www.broussards1889.com/services.asp?page=odetail&id=9855&locid

Our Buena Vista Institute of Religion staff has begun gathering memories, thoughts and stories about Sydney to share with the Hathaway family at Saturday’s service and we encourage you to participate by emailing the experiences you shared with Sydney to Kristie Gibbons at gibbonskk@ldschurch.org. You can also share your feelings about Sydney by commenting on this post.