KNOX COUNTY, Tenn — When Raelee Scarbrough was around her friend Emma Fila, there was never a dull moment. The two of them cheered together in middle school at the Christian Academy of Knoxville.
"She was fun, giggly and full of life," Raelee said. "We were both on cheer, I was her big sister."
The Johnson sisters said Emma was always up for adventures and pulling pranks. They've been best friends since middle school.
"She's the funniest person I've ever met. She was just really caring," Reagan Johnson said. "She always really told me 'We have one life and we might as well live it and live it to the fullest.' She really did."
"She's so easy to talk to and you could just be yourself completely around her," Mimi Johnson said. "Everyone always says she brought the light into the room, but she really did."
Her boyfriend of three years, Cole Arden, said that's what made Emma special.
"She's the most amazing person I've ever met my entire life," Cole said. "Just full of light all the time. She was always supportive of everyone, always supportive of me."
On Saturday, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) said Emma, 18, died in a boating accident on Fort Loudoun Lake. A 70-year-old man, Terry Dea, died trying to rescue her.
"[He's] such a hero," Emma's mom Kathy Rollow said. "Who could be so selfless to do what he did?"
Over the weekend, they learned Terry was actually one of their neighbors.
"He was her guardian through it all," Emma's father Frank Fila said. "It's been a nightmare obviously, we've been in kind of a dreamlike state."
The Fila family is now establishing a scholarship fund in lieu of flowers to help other students reach their dreams. People can donate via Venmo @EmmaFilaScholarship or by visiting any of the ORNL Federal Credit Union branches.
"What a blessing that we even have the opportunity to have something that could be impactful forever for her," Kathy Rollow said. "That's amazing."
A celebration of Emma's life will be held Wednesday evening at the Jubilee Center in Knoxville for family and friends.
"Emma was someone who brought joy to everyone she knew," her friend Anna Claire said. "She was such an amazing teammate and an all around great person to be around. She always had a smile on her face."
Emma's friend Morgan Griffey said she was an amazing friend, leader and inspiration to others.
"He life was cut too short, too soon. Emma was one of the most selfless people I have ever met, her heart was full of so much love and kindness," Griffey said. "I am so blessed to have known such a sweet soul."
Emma and Christina Lane met in kindergarten and soon became best friends. Christina said they often spent their time together on weekends, vacations and summers on the lake.
"Emma was a dear friend and had the best sense of humor," Christina said. "She always kept me laughing no matter what. She was more like family then a friend."