Family Honors Volunteer's Life

Family and friends gathered Saturday to celebrate the life of Kate Puzey, a Peace Corps volunteer from Cumming who was killed in West Africa.

Members of the Puzey family hold on to one another as they leave the young Peace Corps volunteer's memorial service at Birmingham United Methodist Church. Kate Puzey, 24, was killed less than two weeks ago in the West African nation of Benin.

Peace corps officials said three suspects have been detained by investigators, but that no arrests have yet been made. They haven't released how Puzey died. Family members and friends focused on celebrating her life.

"Not the violent circumstances that took her life, but the 24 years she gave us," said Kate's Uncle, Gordon Benson.

More than 500 people - some from all over the world - Benin, Germany, Japan – came to Atlanta to remember Kate Puzey. The Peace Corps - presented her family with a special Corps flag.

"I spend one trip a year meeting with Peace Corps volunteers and I know how special Kate was," said Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson.

Family members said they want the 24-year-old teacher's legacy to be one of service.

"She would not in any way want her death and the events that led to her death to detract from the mission of the Peace Corps," said Benson.

Benson said the children and women she helped in Benin are grieving with them. "I heard from them, talked to them, and we want them to know our prayers are with them, as well."

Family members said Puzey had an inspiring touch that was larger than life.

"Since that's all we have left, we can hold her in our spirits and go forward from here and spread that a little further," said Benson.

The Kate Puzey Memorial Fund has been established to help causes Puzey believed in, her father said. Donations can be sent to: c/o Smith, Gambrell, and Russel, LLP, Suite 3100, 1230 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30309-3592.