Cobb County sailor had planned surprise visit home

But 20-year-old and her boyfriend died in crash last week in Okinawa.

Savannah Cagle wanted to be home on Memorial Day to pay respects to fallen military members.

Instead, the Navy is planning a military funeral for her to be held Friday.

The 20-year-old and her boyfriend, Airman 1st Class Gabriel Antonio Fuentes-Lebron of Florida, were killed in a motorcycle crash last week in Okinawa, Japan.

Her father, Alan Cagle, said that when Savannah’s body returns home Tuesday, it will be exactly one year since his eldest daughter left for Okinawa. That was her first assignment after training in Texas to be a Naval police officer or master of arms.

Savannah was one of four Cagle children. She has an older brother, A.J.; a younger sister, Payton; and a younger brother, 14-year-old Riley.

Payton Cagle, 18, graduated Friday from Allatoona High School.

Savannah was looking forward to celebrating with her sister — and eating at Waffle House.

She also looked forward to introducing Gabriel, or “Gabe,” to her parents. His family lives in Jacksonville, Fla., and he was expected to travel to Cobb County the week after Savannah returned.

His aunt, Melissa Lebron, said Gabe was following in his uncle’s footsteps by joining the Air Force and the entire family was extremely proud of him.

The 21-year-old had been selected for early promotion and the Air Force posthumously promoted him to senior airman.

“Gabe was such a genuine, magnetic person who loved God and his county,” his aunt said. “He was wise beyond his years and just adored Savannah.”

The airman planned to ask Savannah’s father for her hand in marriage.

Lisa Abner Hill, a family friend,

told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the couple hoped to get married while home on leave this summer.

Amy Van Riel, who called herself a best friend to Savannah’s mother, Felicia, remembered Savannah’s constant smile and love of life.

“And I know she loved (Gabe) with all her heart,” Van Riel said. “She said she never knew that kind of love before and was so excited to bring him home to meet her parents, family and friends.”

Many of Savannah’s friends and family were proud of her service to her country.

Her father said Savannah was always moved by videos of soldiers surprising family members by returning home early and that’s what she was trying to do this Memorial Day weekend.

Bella Cottone said she and Savannah had been friends for 12 years, since they were in elementary school together.

“She was my best friend,” Cottone said. “She was my sister and she was a sister to my other siblings and a daughter to my parents.”

After high school graduation, Savannah surprised her friends when she decided to join the Navy after considering but never joining the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, Cottone said.

“We were, of course, upset she was leaving, but it was a huge step in life that we couldn’t help but be proud of her,” Cottone said.

One of Savannah’s middle school teachers, Jodi Bitler, taught three of the Cagle children.

Bitler said Savannah was the type of student whose loss makes her remember what a profound effect students often have on teachers.

“Her amazing smile and an incredible work ethic was embraced by her peers and teachers,” Bitler said. “A leader was in the making, and it was apparent that she would go on to do incredible things — wherever her heart may lead.”

The families arranged to lay their children to rest the way they would have wanted to spend their lives, together.

After Savannah’s body returns Tuesday, a public visitation will take place Thursday at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home on Cobb Parkway in Kennesaw.

A military funeral is set for Friday and then the Cagle family will lay Savannah to rest in Savannah, which was one of Gabe’s favorite places and is between where the families live, Alan Cagle said.

They hope to find a spot on a hill, where the sunset will overlook the ocean.