'Dre' Terry remembered at memorial service

A memorial service was held for Dravious “Dre” Terry on Nov. 21 in the Elmore Chapel at Claflin University. 

Dr. Benjamin Yumol, one of Terry’s professors, said it is is very unfortunate that Terry’s life was cut short.

Terry was showing change, Yumol said. “What I saw in him was a person who was transforming.”

Yumol noted that Terry was a challenging student in the beginning, but he was turning things around. Terry was thinking about life after graduation.

The 21-year-old senior from Greer died earlier this month in an off-campus shooting incident. Roommate Andre Demetrius Sanders Jr., a 21-year-old from Savannah, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Claflin University President Dr. Henry Tisdale also shared words at the memorial service.

“This is one of the toughest times, when we lose a member of the Claflin family, especially a student,” Tisdale said.

Tisdale said Terry had a short life but that it may have been all that God had planned for him.

“For each one of us, God has a purpose,” Tisdale said.

“We come into this world to serve a purpose, and sometimes it doesn’t take living to 75 or 80 to really carry out God’s purpose,” Tisdale said.

Tisdale encouraged those who were present to live like today may be their last day.

“The people that you need to say I love you too, say I love you. The people that you need to call, call them,” Tisdale said.

Tisdale also spoke about togetherness.

“Let us all stay together. In times like these, let us share,” Tisdale said.

“Sharing is the good part, in the good times yes, but also in the bad times. When we can come together and share, it is more meaningful,” he said.