FLIGHT TO HEAVEN

FLIGHT TO HEAVEN — Karl Johnson and Trena Erwin helped her grandchildren, 5-year-old Ava Erwin (left) and 7-year-old Ryker Spivey, open a box containing a  butterfly at Monday’s Butterfly Memorial Release Service held in the European Garden at Discovery Park of America by Baptist Hospice, Griefshare of Second Baptist and Greater Vision Ministry. Ava and Ryker are the children of Alyssa Erwin of Union City. The event was held for area residents to pay tribute and remember the lives of lost loved ones, including Johnson’s late wife, Sandy, and Mrs. Erwin’s late husband, Jerry. Johnson, who leads Griefshare at Greater Vision Ministry, spoke about the loss of his wife and his friend, Jeff Davis, who lost his life following an accident at Johnson’s home. Matthew Nance (not pictured) of Baptist Hospice shared that butterflies are a symbol of new life with their beauty, transformation and flight to heaven. For more information, contact Baptist Hospice at 731-884-8617, Griefshare of Greater Vision Church at 731-536-6388 or Griefshare of Second Baptist at 731-885-5223.