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BAY MINETTE, Alabama — Classmates of Tessie Rider honored her memory by delivering 100 care bags to the Southern Cancer Center. Each tote was filled with comfort items to help cancer patients while they go through treatments. Her family said it was such a fitting tribute for Rider, who died earlier this year.

“For the short months that Tessie was cancer free, she told Wesley, Betsy and me about how she wanted to do something uplifting for the cancer patients that were halfway through chemo,” her daughter-in-law Lori Rider said. “She explained to us that this was the hardest part physically and emotionally. She often told us that her and others getting chemo would discuss how everyone was there in the beginning when the chemo and side-effects weren't so bad. She would tell us how the middle was when patients were forgotten about and needed comfort the most.”

The Baldwin County High School Class of 1981 did not know about this conversation when they forged ahead with plans to honor Rider. They simply wanted to do something to remember their friend.

Classmate Megan Jones said the bags will be distributed to patients at the half-way mark of their chemotherapy treatment when patients “feel their lowest. Little did I know when starting this project, this is the point in time when Tessie wanted to help others ... chilling how it turned out.”

Just before delivering the bags, Jones said the classmates toasted to their friend’s “life, her love and giving spirit.”

The care bags bear a specially-designed logo in honor of Rider and are filled with donations from restaurants, companies and her friends.

The family said they know Rider would approve. “Megan Jones, Jean Catrett Armstrong and all her other classmates didn't realize they were making an actual dream of hers come true! These bags were delivered today and we know that Tessie Rider is smiling down!”