Sieas Elliot, alumni Destiny Gardner Obituary Death: Stillman College grieves deaths of student and alumnus in fatal crash.
Sieas Elliot, alumni Destiny Gardner Obituary Death – The Stillman College community is grappling with profound grief following a devastating car accident that claimed the lives of three individuals deeply connected to the institution. The victims—current student Sieas Elliot and alumni Destiny Gardner and Varick Lawrence—tragically lost their lives on the evening of May 23, 2025, in a crash that occurred in the metro Atlanta area.
Dr. Yolanda W. Page, the eighth president of Stillman College, expressed heartfelt sorrow over the tragedy. “This is a terrible tragedy for everyone in our Stillman family,” she said. “The spirit of each of these proud Stillmanites will live on with all who were greeted by their warm smiles and welcoming personality. The entire Stillman College community mourns this heartbreaking loss. We extend our sincere condolences to their families, friends, classmates, and teammates during this incredibly difficult time.”
Sieas Elliot, a native of Stockbridge, Georgia, had recently concluded his athletic career as a baseball player at Stillman. He had made plans to return to campus in the upcoming academic year to complete his degree and contribute to the college’s baseball program as a student assistant coach. A proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Elliot was remembered for his warmth, dedication, and leadership both on and off the field.
Destiny Gardner, originally from Montgomery, Alabama, was a distinguished alumna of the college. She was crowned the 74th Miss Stillman for the 2021–2022 academic year and was an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Gardner graduated in 2022 with a degree in criminal justice and was serving her community as a juvenile officer at the DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center in Georgia. She and Lawrence, one of the other victims, shared a young son.
Varick Lawrence, hailing from Lithonia, Georgia, also left a significant mark on Stillman College during his time as a student. He played on the Stillman baseball team from 2021 to 2023 and graduated last year. After college, he continued his involvement in the sport as a baseball coach in the Atlanta area. Like Elliot, he was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and was well respected for his passion for mentoring young athletes and building community.
Terrance Whittle, Stillman’s director of athletics and former head baseball coach, voiced his sorrow and admiration for the lives lost. “I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life of two former student-athletes, Sieas Elliot and Varick Lawrence, and Miss Destiny Gardner,” he said. “The Department of Athletics wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family of these young persons whom all had an invaluable imprint on Stillman College. Their legacy will live on at Stillman through the relationships they formed while here.”
Jean Wilson, Director of Alumni Affairs at Stillman, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the continued contributions Gardner and Lawrence made after their time at the college. “Varick and Destiny embodied the spirit of Stillman College—determined, compassionate, and always striving for excellence. As alumni, they continued to uplift others and set examples of leadership in their communities. Their loss is deeply felt among the alumni family,” Wilson said.
The emotional impact of this tragedy has reached far beyond the campus. Tuscaloosa City Council District 7 representative and Stillman alumna Cassius Lanier took to Facebook to share condolences. “Prayers up for my Stillman College Family and Families of our Stillmanites who lost their lives!!” he posted, reflecting the shared grief among Stillman supporters and the broader community.
As of now, authorities have not released specific details regarding the cause of the accident. Investigators are continuing to look into the circumstances surrounding the tragic crash, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
In the wake of this heartbreaking event, Stillman College is standing together in remembrance of the lives lost. The enduring contributions of Sieas Elliot, Destiny Gardner, and Varick Lawrence—to the campus, their friends, families, and communities—are being celebrated as examples of the values Stillman holds dear. The college’s leadership, staff, students, and alumni remain united in their mourning and in honoring the legacies of these individuals who made a lasting impact.
Support services and grief counseling are being made available to students and faculty affected by the tragedy, as the college community continues to come to terms with the loss. The bonds these three shared with Stillman College remain deeply rooted, and their stories of service, scholarship, and leadership will not be forgotten.
