LIBERTY — A 14-year-old girl who died in a 1996 motor vehicle accident was remembered Monday in a dedication ceremony for a softball field named in her honor.
Amite School Center officials, friends and family members recalled Ashley Brooke Toler, who died April 28, 1996.
Ashley, the daughter of Kim Butler and Mike Toler, was traveling with her sister Deanea and friend Charles Causey when their pickup hit another vehicle on Hebron Road in the 8 p.m. crash.
Deanea Toler and Charles Causey since married. They have two daughters: Mayce Causey, 8, and Chayse, 5.
On Monday evening, the Rev. Cletus Moak of Hebron Baptist Church, Ashley’s home church, opened the ceremony with a prayer.
ASC headmaster Dan Brewer said, “I never had the opportunity to know Ashley Brooke. If she’s anything like Deanea and the rest of her family, I missed a real treat.”
Ashley’s cousin Stevie Moore recalled her role on the softball team.
“Before every game, it was Ashley that led the team in the Lord’s Prayer,” he said. “When she stepped onto the field, she put her heart and soul into every play.”
In 1997, team members wore wristbands with Ashley’s number, 25, and went on to win the state championship.
“They would never forget their ‘angel in the outfield,’ ” Moore said.
Former ASC coach Dewayne Stafford described Ashley as “one of the nicest, most well-mannered, genuine people you’d ever want to meet. … What really made Ashley special was her heart and her ability to love.”
Ashley’s aunt, Deedee Walsh, read a poem written by Deanea. Mayce and Chayse each pitched a softball to home plate.
Then, with the song “I’m in Better Hands Now” playing on the public address system, girls softball players released red and blue balloons, and Mayce and Chayse released a white one.
Since Ashley’s number was 25, the plan was to release 24 red and blue balloons, followed by the white one. However, two of the balloons got away before the ceremony.
“They left early,” Deanea said. “Like she did.”
