Family, friends and members of the Memphis community gathered Saturday morning to bid farewell to Tennessee teacher and billionaire heiress Eliza Fletcher, who was kidnapped and murdered during her 4 a.m. jog the last week.
Fletcher, 34, a mother of two, was running near the University of Memphis on September 2 when she was targeted by suspect Cleotha Henderson, a violent criminal charged with her murder.
The funeral service is held at Second Presbyterian Church, Memphis, where Fletcher first met her husband of eight years, Richard, and where they were also married.
Outside the funeral home, Fletcher’s mother Lucy could be seen sobbing and hugging her family and friends offering their condolences to her and Richard, who was accompanied by one of her young sons.
Eliza Fletcher’s mother Lucy (in white) could be seen crying and hugging family and friends outside her daughter’s funeral. Eliza’s husband Richard stood to her right with their eldest son
The distraught family welcomed those attending the funeral of Fletcher, 34, a mother of two and billionaire heiress who was kidnapped and murdered while out jogging in Memphis last week.
Pictured: Eliza’s body is lifted from the portcullis on Saturday morning during her funeral
Pictured: Mourners gather outside the funeral home as they prepare to enter for the service
Fletcher’s family praised her strong faith, writing in their obituary, “She truly walked and molded the Christian life and trusted her unwavering faith.” She was the mother of two boys
A choir opened the services with the song “This Little Light of Mine”, which was one of Fletcher’s favorite songs that she sang for her kindergarten students.
A choir opened the services with the song “This Little Light of Mine,” which was one of Fletcher’s favorite songs that she sang for her kindergarten students.
Senior Pastor George Robertson gave the keynote address celebrating Fletcher’s life, calling her a woman of faith who worked hard her whole life to become a teacher.
Robertson said that although tragically cut short, Fletcher’s life moved the nation.
“It’s only fair that we mourn, but mourn with hope,” Robertton said. “Let us continue the legacy of our dear sister.
Fletcher’s obituary read: ‘She loved her family fiercely and unconditionally. Together as a family they enjoyed outdoor adventures including boating, water sports, hiking, running and biking. She was deeply admired by her family and friends for her passionate dedication to motherhood.
The family also praised her strong faith, writing, “She truly walked and modeled the Christian life and trusted her unwavering faith.”
Fletcher was last seen around 4.20am Friday while jogging (right) in Memphis and a man approached her and forced her into an SUV after a brief struggle, police said.
Pictured: A treasure of flowers was seen brought to the funeral home early on Saturday morning
A crowd was spotted among the last group to enter the church for the funeral service
Senior Pastor George Robertson (above) gave the keynote address celebrating Fletcher’s life
The funeral service is held at the Second Presbyterian Church (pictured), in Memphis
Eliza Fletcher is seen on her wedding day in March 2014, to her new husband Richard. The couple met at the Second Presbyterian Church and were also married there
“Liza was a light to all who knew her. Her smile and infectious laugh could brighten up any room. Liza was pure in heart and innocent in a way that made her see the best in everyone she met. To know her was to love her and to be loved by her.
“His impact is extraordinary, as evidenced by prayer groups, vigils held with friends and family, gatherings at church and school, and memorial runs and walks held in his honor,” they said. they wrote.
The family is asking anyone wishing to contribute to donate to a fund established in her memory at St Mary’s Episcopal School, where she taught, or the church that has played such a big part in her life.
Cleotha Abston, 38, appeared in court for the first degree murder of Fletcher and could face the death penalty. He has yet to plead the charges against him, but his public defender is considering a gag order
Fletcher’s disappearance sparked a four-day hunt for her and her captor, which ended on Tuesday
Abston appeared in court in Memphis on Thursday, charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and tampering with evidence – with the judge again denying him bail until another hearing on September 19.
Jennifer Case, his public defender, initially argued there was a conflict of interest in her representing him, as her office had worked with him in a previous criminal case in the early 2000s.
However, the case was dismissed by the judge, Louis Montesi Jr, although he agreed to hear his arguments for a gag order at a later hearing.
Case argued aspects of the case should not be made public after Memphis Police Chief CJ David called Abston a “dangerous predator”.
Tennessee is a death penalty state and prosecutors said Thursday they would not rule him out if convicted.
Abston wore a prison-issued green uniform and mask and spoke to his public defender only during the brief hearing.
