Students, faculty honor Linthicum

Family, friends, classmates, teachers and community members all came together Thursday evening for a candlelight vigil and memorial service at Ironton High School, remembering sophomore Torrence Linthicum, who died this past Sunday.

Pastor Eric Barnes, of Ironton First Baptist Church, gave a brief welcome as everyone was gathered in front of the high school before the school’s Varsity Singers sang “Seasons of Love” while all of the candles were being lit to begin the vigil.

The evening continued with Barnes speaking about keeping Torrence’s memory alive through different moments and the Rev. Damion Sneed, of Mount Olive Baptist Church, reading scripture.

The candles were blown out before everyone proceeded into auditorium for another Varsity Singers song and a picture video of Torrence growing up through the years while playing Torrence’s favorite song.

“I appreciate how much the school wanted to come and honor him. I thank everyone who was a part of it,” Torrence’s oldest sister, Alora Linthicum, said. “Even though those memories were hard to see, they were all good memories. I’m glad the pictures were shown to everyone. It’s a great way to remember him.”

Another sister, Alexis Linthicum, liked the video that was shown as well.

“It captured how beautiful his smile was and how happy he was around his friends,” she said. “I want to thank the school for doing all of this.”

All of Torrence’s siblings had nothing but good memories of their brother.

“He had so many friends. Everyone was his friend,” Torrence’s 14 year-old sister Addison Linthicum, an eighth grader at Ironton Middle School, said. “He was a really good artist. I know he loves me.”

Torrence’s brother Tristan Linthicum said he had something about him that always lightened the mood.

“He was a very down to earth person,” he said. “He really knew how to mellow out the mood and take stress away.”

All of Torrence’s family were pleased with the effort the school gave to have the candlelight vigil and service and the community for coming out for Torrence.

“He’s a good kid, a straight-A student and had a lot of friends,” Torrence’s grandmother, Connie Church, said. “I appreciate everyone coming out for the service.”