Casey Acker was teaching at Bullard ISD before her untimely death. At age 41, she passed away just 10 days after learning of a sudden cancer diagnosis. She had presented no symptoms previously, but the cancer had aggressively spread through her body. (Contributed Photo)

A beloved East Texas teacher is being remembered for her strength, selflessness and unwavering love for her students after a sudden and heartbreaking death to cancer.

After nearly 20 years in the classroom, Casey Acker passed away after a sudden cancer diagnosis. Now, her loved ones are honoring her legacy through shared stories and a scholarship for future educators.

“She always had a heart for kids,” Acker’s sister Shelly Self said. “I think that’s where her career initially sparked, was her love for children and to give back them.”

Her family said she was diagnosed with triple-negative metastatic breast cancer on June 7, despite having no symptoms.

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