Loved ones and hundreds of mourners from the Memphis community gathered Saturday morning to bid a final farewell to Tennessee teacher and mother Eliza Fletcher, who was honored for “bringing light to this day and to the world.” More than 300 mourners are estimated to have attended the funerals held at Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, where Fletcher, 34, first met her husband of eight years, Richard. Attendees queued to enter the building, with mourners consistently arriving 90 minutes before the ceremony. Fletcher’s family arrived in two hearses and a large bus around 9:45 a.m. local time. The ceremony was streamed live via the church’s YouTube page. Among the songs and hymns performed by the Second Presbyterian Church choir was “This Little Light of Mine,” which Fletcher was seen on touching video singing to her young students during the coronavirus pandemic. Senior pastor Dr George Robertson told mourners “everything in this service is directly related to the life of Eliza Fletcher”. ELIZA FLETCHER FUNERAL: SLAIN MEMPHIS JOGGER REMEMBERED AS FAMILY FINALLY FAREWELL Eliza Fletcher’s mother, Adele Welford, and her husband, Richard Fletcher, are seen with mourners as they gather at the Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 10, 2022, for Eliza Fletcher’s funeral. (Matt Simons for Fox News Digital) “Surely, you recognize the children’s song ‘This Little Light of Mine,’ which she recorded for her kindergartners to encourage them to keep their light shining, even in the difficult times of COVID. And maybe you recognize those who came to her wedding . Those were her favorite people. She was light. She was also joy,” Robertson said, according to the live stream. “Eliza’s name is Hebrew … It means joy.” ELIZA FLETCHER FUNERAL: SLAIN MEMPHIS JOGGER MEMORIAL ANNOUNCED Loved ones and the Memphis community will gather Saturday morning to say goodbye to Tennessee teacher and mother Eliza Fletcher. (Matt Simons for Fox News Digital) He spoke of Fletcher’s love of designing her own Nike tennis shoes and how “she was very proud of those shoes.” Eliza Fletcher’s father, James Beasley Wellford, and mourners gather at the Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 10, 2022, for Eliza Fletcher’s funeral. (Matt Simons for Fox News Digital) “This little light of mine,” said Lisa, “I will let it shine.” Lisa didn’t have the resume of a world-changer, as we measure people who change the world,” Robertson continued. “But when Jesus is your light—no matter how small it is, regardless of your dismissal from the world for not you may have what he is telling you. you want to have – with your light Jesus, no matter how small you are, shines brightly. This little light, born 34 years ago, brings light to today and to the world.” Mourners gather at the Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 10, 2022, for the funeral of Eliza Fletcher. (Matt Simons for Fox News Digital) Photos from outside Saturday’s ceremony show mourners, including Fletcher’s mother, father and husband among other family members, comforting each other before the services began. ELIZA FLETCHER KIDNAPPING: A TIMELINE OF THE MEMPHIS TEACHER’S DISAPPEARANCE AND MURDER Mourners gather at the Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 10, 2022, for the funeral of Eliza Fletcher. (Matt Simons for Fox News Digital) Fletcher, 34, was jogging near the University of Memphis campus around 4:30 a.m. on September 2, when she was kidnapped and killed, allegedly at the hands of an unknown person named Cleotha Henderson. Henderson, who has a violent criminal history, has since been charged with multiple counts including first degree murder, first degree murder and kidnapping murder, as well as other charges including aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people gathered in the early hours of Friday morning to complete Fletcher’s run after his tragic interruption. “We are here today to honor Liza and complete her journey,” event organizer Danielle Heineman told attendees. “We’re here today to run in honor of Lisa and also to show that women in this city have the right to run at 4 in the morning or 10 at night or any time of the day,” Heineman said. . “And we don’t have to cover our bodies completely while running. There should be no excuses.” Fletcher was a married mother of two and scion of the Orgill estate. He was a kindergarten teacher at the Episcopal School of St. Mary’s and previously taught at Promise Academy. Eliza Fletcher with her family in an undated photo provided by the funeral home. Eliza Fletcher poses for a selfie. (Canale Funeral Directors, Liza Fletcher/Instagram) An obituary published in her memory describes her as “devoted” to her work and to her students. “As with everything Lisa undertook, she cared for and cared for her students with all her heart,” the obituary said. “Believing strongly in the importance of personal growth, she was not afraid to be vulnerable. Instead, he embraced it.” He also describes the young mum as a ‘born athlete’. “Lisa’s passion for sports extended from childhood teams to collegiate competition to excellence in marathons into adulthood,” according to the obituary. “She found great joy in her morning runs with friends. She channeled her competitive nature into enthusiastic participation in everything she undertook.” Fletcher was someone who “patterned the Christian life and trusted in its steadfast faith.”
The page adds: “Her impact is extraordinary, as witnessed in prayer groups, vigils held at the homes of friends and family, church and school gatherings, and memorial drives and walks held in her honor. The outpouring of love and grief would surprise Lisa, who never thought or acted like she was anything special – although she certainly was.’ MEMPHIS JOGGER SUSPECT CLEOTH HENDERSON’S LAWYER SEEKS GAG ORDER AS ELIZA FLETCHER’S FAMILY ISSUES OBITUARY Lisa Fletcher, a 34-year-old teacher and mother of two who was killed during her morning jog last week, will be laid to rest on Saturday. (Jennifer Sink/Facebook, Memphis Police) But her “most beloved role,” the obituary states, “was that of wife and mother.” ELIZA FLETCHER’S EXPLANATION OF KILLING SUSPECT CLEOTHA ABSTON THE VIOLENT HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, ASSAULT AND KIDNAPPING “Lisa was a light to all who knew her,” he continues. “Her contagious smile and laugh could light up any room. Lisa was pure of heart and innocent in ways that made her see the best in everyone she met. To know her was to love her and be loved.” Eliza Fletcher’s husband, Richie Fletcher III, works as a dealership manager for a boat center in Memphis and was previously a Coast Guard engineer. (Liza Fletcher/Instagram) Details about the tragedy that befell Fletcher have been scarce, and police have not released information about how she died or a motive behind the attack. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Deputy Attorney General Steve Mulroy said Tuesday that investigators had “no reason to believe this was anything other than an isolated attack by an unknown person.” He did not disclose a possible motive. Fletcher’s family has requested that any memorials be made in the form of contributions to the Lisa Welford Fletcher Memorial Fund at St. Mary’s Episcopal School. Mary’s, Christ Methodist Day School and Second Presbyterian Church. Stephanie Pagones is a Digital Reporter for FOX Business and Fox News. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @steph_pagones.