The Selma Times-Journal

No funeral was held for Zach Cozadd&8217;s untimely death. Instead, family celebrated his life.

Those who came to say goodbye Monday morning gave comfort to one another by sharing their &8220;Zachary experience.&8221;

Family members and friends told stories about Cozadd&8217;s love of hunting, fishing, laughing, eating and his full head of curly hair.

Tears were shed, but laughter also echoed in the sanctuary of Barrett Road United Methodist Church.

A poem in the funeral program written by Cozadd&8217;s mother, Robin, encouraged everyone to focus on the good times with her son: &8220;Please, please, please don&8217;t think of Zachary and be angry or sad. Don&8217;t waste your emotions on these. Thoughts of Zachary should bring smiles and laughter. Zachary &8230;&8230; you just gotta love him.&8221;

A photograph of Zach hung from a banner near the church entrance.

The Cozadds wore Auburn University T-shirts to the funeral because they are big Auburn fans and the love of the team tied them together.

Born recalled the last days of her congregant&8217;s life. They were spent at the church worshiping with his parents, fishing and spending time with his girlfriend.

Cozadd died when his truck collided with a bus on Highway 22 on Wednesday. Two days before, his mother, on her way out of the house, felt compelled to go back and tell her son she loved him.

She shared the last lines of her poem about her son: &8220;Zachary said, &8216;It&8217;ll

be all right, Momma.&8217; And now I know it&8217;s true. Zachary is with the one who loved him first. Zachary &8230;&8230; I&8217;ve always loved him.&8221;

Cozadd was laid to rest at the cemetery at Plantersville Baptist Church.

His mother pulled a flower from a floral arrangement, kissed it and placed it on her son&8217;s casket. Family members and girlfriend McKinsey Crawford did the same.