Asher Sullivan's family announce ceremony following boy's storm death: 'Fellowship and love'

• Public event will start with a visitation with family and friends 4-6 p.m. before ceremony starts at 6 p.m. at New Vision Baptist Church
• Sullivan family had an initial private funeral for Asher before arranging a public event, "Celebrating the Beautiful Life of Asher Sullivan'
• Family friend working on donation of an 'Asher backpack" for each of Rutherford County's elementary schools
• Many participated in prayer vigils for Asher and his family

The family of Asher Sullivan, the 10-year-old buy who died from injuries after the May 8 storm, announced plans for a public ceremony.

The "Celebrating the Beautiful Life of Asher Sullivan" will include a visitation with family and friends from 4-6 p.m. followed by a service at 6 p.m. July 26 at New Vision Baptist Church, 1750 N. Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, according to the social media post on the Facebook page of James "Jimmy" Sullivan, the director of Rutherford County Schools.

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The church has seating for 1,500, according to the announcement posted on social media Sunday. Many people have grieved for the family and participated in prayer vigils.

"We are working on streaming for the service," Sullivan said on his Facebook page and noted that more details about the event will come next week. "We held a private funeral for Asher on May 23rd. Although it will be hard to relive the tragedies from that time, the community has been amazing and needs an opportunity for fellowship and love."

Asher was critically injured after being sucked into a storm drain. His parents by May 18 learned from doctors at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt that their son was brain dead. The parents decided for Asher to be an organ donor who can help others.

"Today was the hardest day so far," Sullivan wrote on social media May 20. "Today we said goodbye to Asher after his honor walk for organ donation. We walked him through the fifth floor and to the elevators that go down to the OR. Asher gave the gift of organ donation to four others, so he will live on in them."

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Among those who participated and organized prayer vigils for Asher and his family include Jessica Hood.

"Our prayers and thoughts still continue for the Sullivan family," said Hood, a mother of three daughters and a friend of the Sullivans.

Hood is the owner of JM Embroidery & More in the Rockvale community southwest of Murfreesboro. She raised about $600 in donations to honor Asher through online apparel. She plans on using the funding to make an "Asher backpack" to donate to each of the county's elementary schools "to make sure that Asher is not forgotten."

Honoring Asher:Asher Sullivan organ donation to help 4 others, 'so he will live on in them,' father says

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Upcoming ceremony to honor Asher

• Event title: "Celebrating the Beautiful Life of Asher Sullivan"
• Visitation with family and friends: 4-6 p.m. July 26 with ceremony to start at 6 p.m.
• Location: New Vision Baptist Church, 1750 N. Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro
• Note: Sullivan family is working on plans to stream the event

Source: Facebook page of Jimmy Sullivan, the father of Asher, a 10-year-old boy who died May 18 after being injured from a May 8 storm