Community gathers to remember beloved educator and friend, Dr. Efie Grear

A community came together Saturday to pay their respects to a beloved educator and friend.
Dr. Efie Grear died unexpectedly on May 15, following complications during heart surgery.

Her sister tells News Channel 5 that Dr. Grear was going in to get stints replaced, when something "went wrong."

Grear's funeral was held in the gymnasium at Glades Central High School, where she was the principal from 1975 until 2000.

Her former students say she cared about her Glades Central Raiders and wanted to make sure they got a good education.

Grear was also heavily involved in the community.

Residents we spoke with, like Beatrice Lawton, only had good things to say about her.

Lawton says, "All I could say is she was a very nice lady. When you met her, she didn't look down on you. She made you feel special."

Dr. Grear had so much school spirit, she was buried wearing a letterman jacket from Glades Central High School.

The school football field is actually named after her.

She will be buried at Forever Glades Cemetery in Belle Glade.