Walden funeral: ‘Such a loss to the community’

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio — More than 600 people crowded a suburban Cleveland church Saturday to remember one of seven college students killed in a North Carolina beach house fire last weekend, a church minister said.

The one-hour, 15-minute service at The Federated Church-United Church of Christ was a celebration of the life of Allison Walden, 19, a University of South Carolina sophomore who enrolled at the school because of the warm weather and the campus sorority scene.

Walden was recognized for her energetic and cheerful ways and her commitment to her studies.

“There was lots of laughter and lots of tears,” the Rev. Mark Simone said. “But it was difficult. It’s been such a loss to the community.”

Jerry Brewer, the university’s associate vice president for student affairs, and a half-dozen of Walden’s sorority sisters traveled from South Carolina to attend the service, Simone said.