Mother speaks out about son killed while on mission trip

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Andrew Page graduated from Independence High School in June and left Charlotte to be a missionary in California for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in August. He was hit by a car while riding his bike.

"Since he was at my knee, three or four years old, he always wanted to serve a mission for our church," his mother Maggie Page said.

Andrew Page got his chance this year. He joined the California Arcadia Mission and trained in Mexico City before he was hit by a car while riding his bike. Police say it was an accident and the driver isn't being charged. The family says he loved what he was doing.

"He was where he needed to be," Maggie Page said.

The former marching band member, Boy Scout and honor student had recently lost his father. Now his family takes comfort that they've been reunited.

"I know the reunion he's having with his dad is perfect," Maggie said. "I'm jealous that I can't be two places at once, but I'm happy to know he was received by his father."

"Another comfort is the faith we all have," Andrew Page's sister Arica Page said. "I think that's the biggest comfort because if it didn't happen on a mission for our church, we'd still have that faith and that comfort."

Andrew Page also took comfort in his faith.

"He'd be the first to say he wasn't perfect, but I think he had a perfect love," Maggie Page said.

And he loved serving others until the day he passed away. Andrew Page's funeral service will be held next Saturday at 11 a.m. at the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse on Rocky River Road.

WSOC