Loved ones and hundreds of mourners from the Memphis community gathered on Saturday morning to bid a final farewell to Tennessee teacher and mother Eliza Fletcher, who was honored for "bringing light to this day and the world."
Over 300 mourners were estimated to have attended funeral services held at the Second Presbyterian Church, in Memphis, Tennessee, where 34-year-old Fletcher first met her husband of eight years, Richard. Attendees waited in lines to enter the building, with mourners arriving steadily over the 90 minutes preceding the ceremony.
Fletcher's family arrived in two funeral vehicles and a large bus around 9:45 a.m. local time. The ceremony was live-streamed via the church's YouTube page. Among songs and hymns performed by Second Presbyterian Church's choir was, "This Little Light of Mine," which Fletcher was seen in heart-wrenching video singing to her young students during the coronavirus pandemic.
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| Eliza Fletcher's better half, Richard Fletcher, captured external the Subsequent Presbyterian Church on September 10, 2022. (Matt Symons) |
Main leader Dr. George W. Robertson told mourners "all that in this help has something to do straightforwardly with Eliza Fletcher's life."
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| Grievers accumulate at the Subsequent Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 10, 2022, for the burial service for Eliza Fletcher. (Matt Symons for Newsreedom Advanced) |
"Most likely, you perceive the kids' melody, 'This Little Light of Mine,' she recorded for her kindergartners to urge them to keep their light sparkling, even in the difficult stretches of Coronavirus. Also, you perceive maybe the individuals who came to her wedding. These were her number one people. She was a light. She likewise was a delight," Robertson expressed, according to the live stream. "Eliza's name is Hebrew … It means joy."
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| Eliza Fletcher's dad rests up against a wall as grievers assemble at the Subsequent Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 10, 2022, for the burial service for Eliza Fletcher. (Matt Symons for Newsreedom Advanced) |
He talked about Fletcher's affection for planning her own Nike sneakers and how she "was exceptionally pleased with those shoes."
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| Eliza Fletcher's dad, James Beasley, and grievers assemble at the Subsequent Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 10, 2022, for her burial service. (Matt Symons for Newsreedom Advanced) |
"'This little light of mine,' Liza said, 'I will allow it to sparkle.' Liza didn't have the resume of a world transformer, as we count world transformers," Robertson went on "Yet when Jesus is your light - regardless of how little, regardless of the world's excusal of you for not having maybe what it says you need to have - with Jesus as your light, regardless of how little you are, it sparkles brilliantly. This little light, conceived a long time back, is carrying light right up 'til now and the world"
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| Eliza Fletcher's mom, Adele Wellford, and spouse, Richard Fletcher, seen with grievers as they accumulate at the Subsequent Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 10, 2022, for the burial service for Eliza Fletcher. (Matt Symons for Newsreedom Advanced) |
Photos from outside Saturday's function show grievers, including Fletcher's mom, father and spouse among other relatives, supporting each other before the administrations started.
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| Eliza Fletcher's dad, James Beasley Wellford, and grievers accumulate at the Subsequent Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 10, 2022, for the burial service for Eliza Fletcher. (Matt Symons for Newsreedom Computerized) |
Fletcher, 34, was running close to the College of Memphis grounds around 4:30 a.m. on Sept. 2 when she was stole and killed, purportedly because of an outsider named Cleotha Henderson. Henderson, who has a rough criminal past, has since been hit with a few charges, including first-degree murder, planned endlessly murder in execution of kidnappings, notwithstanding different counts that incorporate disturbed hijacking and altering/creating proof.
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| Friends and family and the Memphis people group will assemble on Saturday morning to say goodbye to Tennessee educator and mother Eliza Fletcher. (Matt Symons for Newsreedom Advanced) |
Hundreds, on the off chance that not a great many individuals assembled in the pre-day break long stretches of Friday morning to complete Fletcher's pursued it was unfortunately stopped.
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| Grievers assemble at the Subsequent Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 10, 2022, for the burial service for Eliza Fletcher. (Matt Symons for Newsreedom Computerized) |
"We're around here today to respect Liza and to complete her run," occasion coordinator Danielle Heineman told the members.
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| Grievers accumulate at the Subsequent Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 10, 2022, for the memorial service for Eliza Fletcher. (Matt Symons for Newsreedom Computerized) |
"We're simply here today to run to pay tribute to Liza, and furthermore to show that ladies in this city reserve a privilege to run at 4 o' clock in the first part of the day or 10 PM or any time," Heineman said. "Furthermore, we don't need to totally cover our bodies while we run. There ought to be no good reasons."
Fletcher was a hitched mother of two and a relative of the Orgill fortune. She was a lesser kindergarten educator at St. Mary's Episcopal School and had recently educated at the Commitment Foundation.
A tribute delivered in her memory portrays her as having been "dedicated" to her work and her understudies.
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| Eliza Fletcher with her family in an undated photo given by the memorial service home; Eliza Fletcher models for a selfie. (Canale Burial service Chiefs; Liza Fletcher/Instagram) |
"Likewise with all that Liza took on, she supported and really focused on her understudies with her entire heart," the eulogy states. "A solid devotee to the significance of self-improvement, she wouldn't hesitate to be helpless. In actuality, she embraced it."
It likewise portrays the youthful mother as a "conceived competitor."
"Liza's enthusiasm for sports reached out from adolescence groups to university contest to greatness in long distance races in adulthood," as per the eulogy. "She found extraordinary delight in her morning runs with companions. She diverted her serious nature into excited cooperation in all that she embraced."
Fletcher was somebody who "displayed the Christian life and confided in her relentless confidence."
The page adds: "Her effect is uncommon, as is seen in the request gatherings, vigils held at the homes of loved ones, church and school social affairs, and commemoration runs and strolls held in her honor. The flood of affection and distress would have amazed Liza, who never suspected or went about as though she were something uniquely great - however she surely was."
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| Liza Fletcher, a 34-year-old educator and mother of two who was killed during her morning run last week, will be let go Saturday. (Jennifer Sink/Facebook, Memphis Police) |
Yet, her "most valued job," the tribute states, "was that of spouse and mother."
"Liza was a light to all who knew her," it goes on. "Her infectious grin and chuckling could light up any room. Liza was unadulterated of heart and blameless in manners that made her see the absolute best in everybody she met. To realize her was to cherish her and to be adored by her."
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| Eliza Fletcher's significant other, Richie Fletcher III, functions as a showroom director for a Memphis boat focus and was beforehand a Coast Watchman specialist. (Liza Fletcher/Instagram) |
Insights about the misfortune that occured for Fletcher have been meager, and police have not delivered data with respect to how she kicked the bucket or the intention behind the assault.
Delegate Principal legal officer Steve Mulroy said Tuesday that examiners had "not a great explanation to think this was something besides a confined assault by a more odd." He didn't disclose a potential rationale.
Fletcher's family has asked that any remembrances be made as commitments to the Liza Wellford Fletcher Dedication Asset at St. Mary's Episcopal School, Christ Methodist Day School, and Second Presbyterian Church.