FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) — A dogwood tree was planted on Wilson High School’s campus Monday morning, in the perfect spot to honor a daughter, sister and softball player – Cory McKean.
“She was she was very loving, gosh, she was everything, she was just a little bit of everything,” says Cory’s mother, Marti McKean.
Cory was killed in a car accident in 2004 between softball games. A few years later, Wilson High School and her family planted a tree to honor her, but the tree did not last long.
So on Monday morning, a new tree was planted.
Cory’s father, Matt McKean, helped plant the tree. He tells News 19 that the type of tree is Cory’s favorite.
“I’m sure Cory is looking down, and just going to see a beautiful pink dogwood tree, and that’s her favorite color, so it’s very touching for us,” Matt McKean said.
The tree was planted right by the Wilson High School softball field, a second home to Cory, who played pitcher for the Warriors.
“This is like within that perimeter of the area where they spent most of their lives playing ball,” Matt McKean said.
As the tree begins to grow, Marti McKean tells News 19, Cory will have a front row seat for all the warrior softball games.
“When the tree gets big enough, who knows she may just sit in it and watch the ball games, and I know they have one going up there. I know all the time,” Marti McKean said.
Casey McKean, Cory’s older sister, says Cory’s legacy will be carried on forever.
“This will be here hopefully long after we’re gone and you know just kind of remain that memorial for her here at the school, everybody can look at it and just remember her, it’ll be a living memorial,” Casey said.
The tree will also have a memorial stone along with a bench for anyone to stop by and enjoy the beauty of the tree and the beautiful memories of Cory McKean.
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