Piedmont, AL – The Calhoun County community and beyond are coming together to support the family of Scarlett Durden, who passed away suddenly on Christmas Day while celebrating the holiday with her family.
Scarlett, 16, died unexpectedly as her family gathered to open presents, a loss that has left loved ones devastated. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced and will remain to be determined until Scarlett’s father, Heston Durden, is released from the hospital. The family said updates will be shared as plans are finalized.
According to her family, Scarlett was known for her humor, kindness, and ability to make friends easily. She was active in JROTC at Central High School, a class her father said was one of her favorites. Just weeks before her passing, the family had moved into a new home in Piedmont, AL, and Scarlett had recently begun attending Piedmont High School.
“She was such a sweet and friendly girl. She cared about everyone she came in contact with and could make friends quicker than I’ve ever seen,” her father shared with the Calhoun Journal. He said Scarlett was initially nervous about starting at her new school, but returned home smiling after her first day. “She said she already made several friends. She was very funny. She made people laugh all the time. She brought joy to everyone.”
At the time of Scarlett’s death, her family was already facing serious medical challenges. Her father is currently hospitalized with end-stage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and undergoing evaluations to be placed on a heart transplant list after experiencing life-threatening cardiac events. Scarlett’s mother is also recovering from significant neck and back injuries sustained in a recent car accident.
Heston Durden said he was hospitalized at Emory University when the family finished opening presents together via FaceTime. “We had just got done opening presents on FaceTime and I was talking to my wife when she suddenly passed,” he said. “I didn’t know at that time she passed. I just heard that something was wrong with Scarlett.”
He later received the call confirming his daughter’s death. “That was the worst feeling ever. Right then I felt like my heart had already stopped. I couldn’t believe it. It felt like a dream,” he said.
As family members traveled to be together in their grief, Heston said a moment along the drive stood out to him. “When my sister was taking us back home we saw the sky was the most beautiful color scarlet. I felt a tear and a smile like she painted it just for us.”
To help ease the financial strain caused by funeral expenses and ongoing medical needs, a fundraiser has been launched on GoFundMe with a goal of $7,000. The fundraiser was created by Scarlett’s cousin, Mary Evelyn Stich, and all funds will go directly to Scarlett’s immediate family to assist with funeral costs and future transplant-related expenses.
Family members say any support — whether through donations, sharing the fundraiser, or prayers — is deeply appreciated as they navigate an unimaginable loss.
