On Monday, I lost one of the educational foundations of my college experience here at Mississippi State University. Lora DeFore, one of my communication instructors and close friends, passed away after a long fight with cancer.
I met DeFore in 2006 after her first bout with cancer. As my adviser and my first journalism instructor, she pushed me as a person and student. She clearly saw through my academic laziness and taught me to care about what I was studying.
Without Lora’s encouragement and support, I would not be in my current position at The Reflector. One winter morning, I stopped by her office and told her I was thinking about applying for editor in chief.
“Thinking about it,” she quipped. “Carl, you have to apply. There’s ink in your blood.”
I knew she was right; if Lora DeFore believed I could do the job, then I damn well knew I could.
My story with Lora isn’t unique, and that is what made her so special. She honestly believed in all of her students and would do anything to help them. Lora’s passing has not only hurt those who knew her and worked with her in the communication department, but has also hit home at The Reflector. Most of the editors and writers here have been influenced by DeFore’s good-hearted nature inside and outside of the classroom. We would not be who we are today without her.
As Lora’s illness progressed, she never lost her spirit. She continued to fight this terrible disease until her body longer could – I admire her for this. Obviously, the world is a lesser place without her vibrant personality and wit, but she is no longer suffering. I’d be a selfish person to say I wish she was still here under those circumstances.
Visitation and memorial services for Lora begin today at 1 p.m. in the Chapel of Memories. I encourage all MSU students who knew her to attend. You will never see a better living definition of impact as you will when you see many of the people she influenced gathered together to remember her.
In one last act of charity, DeFore’s family – with the help of the MSU Foundation and the Department of Communication – founded the Lora DeFore Memorial Scholarship Fund. In typical Lora fashion, her legacy will continue to help communication students throughout the future.
Even though Lora was only in my life for a brief time, I am so thankful for what she has done for me. I can only hope I will take her life lessons and continue to apply them to my time here on this earth. If I could have one last conversation with her, I’d tell her how much she means to me. If this world is a right and fair place, then Lora DeFore knew exactly how much she meant to so many people and how much she influenced her family’s, friends’ and students’ lives.
Thank you, Lora.
Carl Smith is the editor in chief of The Reflector. He can be contacted at [email protected].