‘Cherish Them’: Funeral Set for Piedmont Sophomore Who Died Unexpectedly

Photo courtesy of the Durden family of Scarlett Durden.

TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News

PIEDMONT, Ala. — A Piedmont family is facing an unimaginable loss after 16-year-old Scarlett Durden passed away suddenly on Christmas morning. Instead of celebrating the holiday and preparing for the new year, her family is now planning her funeral.

Her mother, Renee Durden, shared that the family is not only grieving Scarlett’s death but is also navigating her husband’s serious medical condition as he is being evaluated for a life-saving heart transplant at Emory University Hospital.

Scarlett collapsed at home shortly after opening presents with her siblings. Despite immediate CPR and extensive efforts by first responders and medical staff, she could not be revived. Doctors told the family the cause may be consistent with sudden cardiac death, but final answers await autopsy results.

Photo courtesy of the Durden family of Scarlett Durden.

Scarlett was a sophomore at Piedmont High School and had quickly formed friendships after the family’s recent move to Alabama. Described as loving, warm, and full of life, she was known for her infectious personality and dream of a future in the military following her involvement in JROTC at her previous school in Carrollton, Georgia.

Photo courtesy of the Durden family of Marvy Durden.

Her father remains hospitalized with end-stage heart failure. The family believes Scarlett may have shared the same hereditary condition.

Renee offered this message to other parents:

“Cherish them. Don’t take them for granted — they can be gone in a second.”

Funeral services will be held Saturday at Miller Funeral Home in Tallapoosa, Georgia, at 2 p.m., with visitation from noon to 2 p.m.

A GoFundMe has been created to assist the family with expenses, click here.

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