Barden Elementary Students Hold Tribute for Ta’Miya Watson

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Students at Barden Elementary mourned the loss of a classmate on Friday. Five-year-old Ta’Miya Watson died Monday after a school bus hit her while she was crossing the street.

The memorial here in front of Ta’Miya’s home is getting bigger everyday. The community is mourning the loss of this little girl who was taken away from her family too soon. Across the street at Barden Elementary her classmates came together to pay to tribute to Ta’Miya.

“We will miss ta’miya very much,” students said during the tribute.

Students wore pink shirts, colorful socks and hair bows to remember Ta’Miya. Her kindergarten class read a poem highlighting some of her best characteristics, like her smile and friendly personality. Ta’Miya’s family received hugs and flowers from her classmates. At the end of the tribute, everyone went outside to release balloons in her honor.

“Its a very, very, very special day. It means a whole lot that Dr. Jackson and the Agnes Barden staff thought enough of us, as well as Ta’Miya, to pay such a powerful tribute to use today,” Veronica Watson, Ta’Miya’s aunt, said.

“I heard one little student say all the balloons were going to Ta’Miya. And so we felt like we sent her our love, all 400 balloons were like a kiss from all the students at the school,” Dr. Jacqueline Jackson, principal of Barden Elementary, said.

Ta’Miya’s teacher also shared the story of a class plant project. Her plant was the first one to blossom the day after the accident and Ta’Miya’s family takes that as a sign that she is still with them.

There will also be a candlelight memorial Friday night at the family’s home at 5487 Virginia Drive at 7:30. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Greater Zion Hill Baptist Church. The chuch will open at noon for Barden Elementary students and staff members.

Macon police are still investigating this incident and as of now, they haven’t found any violations. MPD is asking anyone who witnessed the accident to contact the Macon Police Fatality Investigator at 478-803-2456 or 478-751-7500.