13-year-old Savannah Copeland was found stabbed to death in Powell. Her father is transforming that space from one of tragedy to something meaningful.
KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — Savannah Copeland was found stabbed to death in the Broadacres community on Oct. 22. Her body was found on a trail near Powell High School.
Her father, Michael Copeland, is turning that area into a community space. On Saturday, he and some friends laid gravel and flagstone to create a patio-like space. Copeland said he and his family visit the area at least once a week and wanted to make it meaningful.
“The idea of your child being found in the dirt. It’s not the kind of thing I want to come sit down at when I come to this area. We want it to be comfortable and we want it to be something a little bit more meaningful, not just for us but for anyone who likes to walk down trails and be close to nature or out here at the soccer field,” Copeland said.Â
He said once the space is finished, he plans to spend even more time there. Copeland said Savannah would have enjoyed it too.Â
“She liked to sit alone. She’s kind of introverted like I am so she was comfortable sitting by herself and just being in her own world. So, I think she would have liked being out in the woods where there was an area set aside specifically for sitting in and just being one with nature,” Copeland said.Â
The space will hold benches and Savannah’s cross. While it will serve as a place to remember her, Copeland said he wants it to be a space for everyone.Â
“If it’s people who have lost somebody or people who just want to come and be silent for a little while. Hopefully, we can create a little bit more meaning that goes beyond what my family is going through,” he said.Â
To the group of landscapers who spent their day helping create the space, Copeland said he was overwhelmed with appreciation and love for them. They said it’s just their way of giving back to a family they care about.Â
