Ashley Harrison, an Ursuline Academy graduate, died in a series of violent storms in Tuscaloosa, Ala. April 27.

By The Texas Catholic Staff

Ashley Harrison was as a bright, outgoing girl who brought happiness wherever she went. That’s how friends and other students are remembering the Ursuline Academy graduate, who died April 27 in a series of violent tornadoes that tore across the South.

Msgr. Donald Zimmerman, pastor of Christ the King Catholic Church, said he remembered Ashley well.

“She was a popular girl, a vivacious girl and a slightly mischievous girl in a good way,” Msgr. Zimmerman said of Ashley, who attended the eighth grade at Christ the King Catholic School. “She was loved by all.”

Her parents, Christ the King parishioners Darlene and David Harrison, had traveled to Tuscaloosa to search for their daughter, Msgr. Zimmerman said.

“It’s a devastating blow for us and an unimaginable blow for the parents. I’m sure our parish will rally around them.”

Ashley was studying Economics at Alabama and was listed as a member of the Class of 2011, according to her Facebook page.

Imez Gregg, one of Ashley’s Facebook friends, said she graduated with her from Ursuline in 2007.

“We did share a few classes,” Gregg said. “I admit I was not very close to her, however a community as tight knit as Ursuline feels a loss such as this deeply and profoundly.”

Another friend, Hailey Gatlin, remembered her as a sweet, outgoing and “crazy girl” who liked to play practical jokes.

But “she was also very compassionate,” Gatlin said. “She got her Girl Scout troop to all come to the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes walk for me, just so I could have support in the walk. She made sure that I knew anytime I needed anything to call her up and she would be there. She was an extremely inspiring and successful young woman.”

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With reporting by Erik Rodriguez, Cathy Harasta, Dan X. McGraw and Jenna Teter.

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