Ashley Stratton’s goal in life was to help people. Her last act on earth was saving four.

Although Ashley Stratton’s life ended Friday, her organs will help four people continue living.

Ashley Stratton, a Scottsville sophomore, died Friday from head injuries suffered in a car wreck on March 4.

While in her late teens, Ashley Stratton watched a man be told he would receive organs from a donor. It was an overwhelming experience, and she decided to become a nurse and organ donor, her mother, Pam Stratton, said.

“We had her organs donated, and she gave four people a new life,” Pam Stratton said. “She loved life. She just wanted to help other people and take care of other people.”

Ashley Stratton was working toward her goal of becoming a nurse. She worked as a dietary aide and cook at The Medical Center of Scottsville for the last four-and-a-half years. She also worked in the long term care unit.

Trish Unterschuetz, department manager of the Center’s food services department, was Stratton’s boss.

“She always had a positive attitude,” Unterschuetz said. “She excelled in all the jobs she did for me, and everybody liked her.”

Ashley Stratton enjoyed her work and shared her experiences with her family.

“She’d always come home and have a story to tell about something somebody had done,” said Kristen Stratton, her younger sister.

Stratton also took care of her daughter, three-year-old Sydney.

“She was always taking her out places,” Kristen Stratton said. “(Sydney) loved her mommy.”

A Kentucky State Police press release said Stratton was driving north on Cemetery Road four- and-a-half miles north of Scottsville. At the 3,000 block, she dropped off the right shoulder, over-corrected and lost control of her 1993 Pontiac Grand Am, hitting a tree.

Stratton, 21, was not wearing a seat belt, the press release said.

Stratton was buried Sunday in Crescent Hills Cemetery in Scottsville. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to the Sydney Stratton Education Fund, in care of Goad’s Funeral Home in Scottsville.

Reach Jessica Sasseen at [email protected].