Woman identified in tragic Athens church fire will be remembered as a ‘pillar of the community’

ATHENS, Tenn. — Last week we told you about a fire that destroyed a historic church in Athens.

On Wednesday we will learn more about a woman who died in this fire.

We have already told you that, according to the priest, the building is a total loss.

The city's mayor told us that rescue teams had recovered a body from the charred remains.

The TBI later confirmed that Linda Buchanan died in the fire.

Since we learned her identity, we have been working to find out more about Buchanan.

Linda Buchanan was well known not only in her church family but also in the entire Athens community.

Those who knew her say she will be missed because she made everyone feel special.

Linda, better known as Ms. B, was more than just a secretary at St. Mark AME Zion Church. She was a beacon of hope.

Linda's friend Kay Frank tells us,,,

“Oh my goodness, Miss Linda was loved by everyone and we will surely miss her. There is no one who didn't love her. She was just special and she made everyone feel special.”

Mrs. B taught music at McMinn County High School.

The students there say she was always ready to have some fun.

“She was always full of energy and was always joking around in the hallways with the other kids. If anyone needed something, she was usually there.”

A former student of Ms. B told us that she was a pillar of the community and “died doing what she loved, serving her community.”

“The community will miss her. We will all miss her. Everyone who knew Miss Linda will miss this dear, precious saint of God, and it hurts, but we know where she is,” Frank said.

According to TBI, the cause of the fire is still unknown.