LAFAYETTE, La. — Family and friends wearing purple and gold said goodbye Thursday to a Louisiana woman and her son who were on their way to see the Peach Bowl when they died in a plane crash.
Gretchen Vincent, 51, and her son, Michael Walker Vincent, 15 were on a plane that crashed shortly after takeoff Saturday in Lafayette, killing five of the six people on board.
Gretchen Vincent was possibly the world's greatest LSU Tigers fan, said Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who described her as one of his best friends during services held at Our Savior's Church in Lafayette, Louisiana, The Advocate reported.
Landry said Vincent's son was an overachiever who touched people and wanted to help others. "He made friends with everyone," Landry said.
“Walker never knew a time without his mother," Landry said. Just as he came into the world, he left the world hand-in-hand with her "as they touched the face of God."
The Vincent family had asked those attending the service to dress in the school's purple and gold in
They died "doing what they loved the most,
Kelly Orgeron, wife of LSU head coach Ed Orgeron, also spoke at the service on behalf of the school and team the mother and son loved, the newspaper reported. After hearing all the wonderful things about them, Orgeron said, “I can't wait to one day meet Gretchen and Walker in heaven.”
Orgeron said she was
As for Walker and Gretchen, she said, “I know they'll be screaming on Jan. 13 when we take that national championship trophy home.”
Most of the five people on the plane who died had connections to a Lafayette-based technology firm, Global Data Systems. Gretchen D. Vincent's husband, Chris Vincent, is the president of Global Data Systems. Ian E. Biggs, 51, was a pilot and aircraft manager for GDS. Robert Vaughn Crisp II, 59 was
Funeral services for the other victims are also upcoming. A Catholic funeral Mass will be held for Crisp on Friday in Mamou. A memorial service will be held for Biggs on Saturday in Lafayette. McCord's funeral will be Saturday in Baton Rouge.
Berzas remains hospitalized in critical condition at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette. Another person, Danielle Britt, is hospitalized at University Medical Center in New Orleans after suffering serious burns when her vehicle flipped and caught on fire as the plane crashed to the ground.
The Associated Press