Families of the victims of the Covenant School shooting have begun laying their loved ones to rest. The first of six funerals was held Friday afternoon at Woodmont Christian Church.
The mood was somber as community members entered the church. Scores of people showed up to honor 9-year-old Evelyn Dieckhaus, one of three students killed in Monday’s shooting. Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney were also 9 years old.
Many mourners wore pink and other bright colors for the service, honoring her family’s request “in tribute to Evelyn’s light and love of color.” The bright hues stood out against the gray, drizzly afternoon.
Funerals for other victims of the shooting were planned throughout the weekend and into next week. Those services are closed to media.
Nine-year-old Hallie Scruggs and 61-year-old Cynthia Peak, a substitute teacher, were both laid to rest on Saturday.
On Tuesday, a service will be held for 61-year-old Mike Hill, Covenant’s beloved school custodian. He was a father of seven and a grandfather of 14.
The final funeral service will be on Wednesday for the head of the school, 60-year-old Katherine Koonce.
This post has been updated with information on the funeral services.