Funeral services set for Nov. 8
By Monica Land
RICHTON – Funeral services are scheduled for today, Nov. 8, for a 17-year-old Richton High School senior who died Sunday after being injured during a game of pick-up football on the school’s baseball field.
Alex Lott was rushed to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg Friday after authorities said he and several other students were playing touch football when Lott “stumbled and fell awkwardly.”
“Apparently in the fall, Alex fractured a vertebrae in his neck,” said Richton superintendent Noel Cochran. “It was just a freak accident. He was a well thought of young man by (his) teachers and classmates.”
Lott was transported by ambulance to Forrest General were he underwent surgery to stabilize his spine. Reportedly, there was no brain activity and Lott was placed on life support.
“Apparently he was fine,
Cochran said. “His vitals were strong, until Saturday morning when there was a series of strokes. He passed away Sunday.”
School officials said Lott was a “very special senior and baseball player” who was “loved by many and will be greatly missed by all.”
The Clarion-Ledger reported that Richton Baseball coach Michael Banes said Lott’s locker will remain “undisturbed, and his No. 10 jersey will hang in the dugout during every baseball game for the upcoming season.”
“We’re not exactly sure yet, but we’ll also have something on our hats and on our jerseys,” Banes told the Clarion-Ledger.
Lott’s family said “at the age of sixteen, [Alex] made the awesome decision to be an organ donor.”
Five different people have benefited from his “wishes.“
Cochran said that was something that was important to Lott. “He would want people to understand how important that is,” Cochran said.
Services will be held Thursday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. at the Family Life Center at the First Baptist Church of Richton.