The Douglas High School community is remembering the teenager killed in a fire in January

MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) – Dozens of people showed their support to honor an 18-year-old who lost her life in a house fire in January.

Dawn Allen died when a fire broke out at her family home near the community of Douglas in Marshall County.

Family, friends and former Douglas High School classmates gathered to honor Dawn by holding a butterfly release in her honor at Douglas High School.

A school staff member made a cross. School officials also planted a butterfly bush and a few minutes later the butterflies were released.

“If you ever met Dawn, you knew she had an infectious smile. “Today’s release of the butterfly is a testament to how much she was loved by the Douglas community and the entire Marshall County School family,” said Dr. Cindy Wigley, superintendent of education for Marshall County Schools.