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ALBANY, GA -- Hundreds of Dougherty Comprehensive High School students and alumni gathered close to 9 p.m. Tuesday night at Turtle Park to hold a memorial for two of their beloved teachers who passed away.

The students say they heard two “profound” teachers, Sharlotte Battle and Vonetta Randle, passed away and wanted to commemorate them.

“Both of those women were so humble and so modest and I just believe that if they were here to see this... sometimes like they say you want to give someone their roses when they can smell them, and I just hate that they couldn't have seen this,” says Dubois Crockrom, a 2009 graduate of Dougherty High and currently a Darton College student. "I just love them both so dearly, and they're going to be missed, that's for sure."

One former DCHS student and now Albany State University sophomore says she has fond memories of Battle.

"I remember I had her my senior year of high school and the one thing she tried to get me to do what get me out of my comfort zone because I was a shy and quiet student," says Talitha Mullins. "I had to come out here and remember her because she really inspired me and kind of prepared me for life."

There has been no confirmation on their causes of death, but according to DCSS Public Information Director R.D. Harter, Battle has been fighting cancer for nearly two years.

Randle’s funeral is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church; the students say they hope to arrange another vigil for before the service.