Fraley recalled as warm, friendly

CHAPEL HILL -- Young girls were ushered out of the sanctuary crying. Others sobbed in their seats as adults held them. Teenage boys wore dark shades to hide their tear-filled eyes.

Hundreds filed into Chapel Hill Bible Church on Saturday afternoon to say goodbye to Atlas Shaquille Minor Fraley, who was described by those who knew him as modest, funny, warm and friendly.

"Thank you for opening your heart to those who needed a shoulder to lean on," said a crying Shanya Campbell while reading a poem in tribute to the Chapel Hill High School football player.

Fraley, 17, called 911 from his Chapel Hill home Tuesday afternoon after a football scrimmage, complaining of dehydration and full-body cramps. He was taken out of a scrimmage in Apex earlier that day after complaining of cramps and headaches. He stood during much of the bus ride home so as to not aggravate his cramps.

Orange County paramedics spent 22 minutes at Fraley's home. It was still unclear Saturday how or whether the EMS crew treated him, but he was not taken to the hospital.

Fraley was dead when his parents got home. County officials are reviewing how the case was handled.

Fraley's basketball and football coaches always monitored him because of his asthma, said Tremaine Powell, one of his basketball coaches. On the court, Fraley was a step behind most of his opponents, but he played and wore No. 1 on his jersey because he was always the best in practice and in the classroom, he said.

Isaac Marsh, Chapel Hill's football coach, said one of Fraley's greatest attributes was his attitude. Fraley was the team's scorekeeper, quasi-assistant coach, backup offensive guard and defensive lineman. He also was manager for the varsity basketball team and taught younger children how to shoot at basketball camps.

"He had a lot of positive energy that made people feel comfortable," Marsh said.

Fraley, who wanted to become a mechanical engineer, leaves behind his parents and grandparents, among many other relatives. He was buried at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery.