A local organization is keeping the memory of two Mesquite educators alive.
Mesquite's Elks Lodge community service organization will honor Leah and James Eason with two annual scholarships in their name.
The Easons and their son, 1-year-old Luke, died in a crash on Interstate 30 just west of Texarkana in June. Their son Jace, now 5, survived the crash.
"The important thing about remembering James and Leah Eason is the sacrifices they made as teachers and the impact they had on their students," said Eric Murry, of the Elks Lodge.
Leah Eason was an assistant principal at Florence Black Elementary School and James Eason was a fifth-grade teacher at B.J Smith Elementary. Both were 30.
Jennifer Gilbralter, a close friend, said she thinks about the couple every day.
"I miss her every day," she said. "I miss being able to pick up the phone and call her and be able to see her."
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Gilbralter, assistant principal at Smith Elementary, worked with James Eason.
"I miss going in his classroom," she said. "There were so many great things going on there, and you always felt better when you walked in Jim's room."
The scholarships will be awarded to exemplary Mesquite students in March.
"We hope that these children realize that they are carrying on a legacy," Annice Murray said. "That these scholarships are very important to the Elks and giving back to the community."
"To have their son Jace be able to look back and see that these scholarships were named after his parents -- and they were such great educators and members of the community -- is touching," Gilbralter said.
