SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — For more than a year police told a mother her daughter's death was a suicide.
NewsChannel 5's Kim Rafferty met with Jamie Dickerson in Shelbyville in September when that story changed and a man confessed to her daughter's death. Jamie said she hoped to offer support to others facing such grief and in a short time that hope became reality.
Keys unlock the new grief center on Union Street and another step in Jamie Dickerson's journey. The center will open Sunday for anyone that needs a place to relax.
"Because grief affects you socially, mentally, physically, my hope is that when they come in here, they leave here feeling better, they are able to go to work with a better mindset," said Dickerson.
In September the Metro Nashville Police Department moved her daughter April Holt's death off of the suicide list when Holt's husband Donavan Holt confessed to her death.
It's been tough for Jamie who just knew Donavan had something to do with it.
"This is my connection to April, losing her and having a place of peace, I feel like her presence is around me," said Dickerson. "What Donavan has done, he has already done, he is arrested, he does have charges and in my opinion I have to move past that."
In the month since, Dickerson worked hard to open a grief center in Shelbyville. Holiday decorations fill the rooms, and she is ready for the doors to open on Sunday.
"There will be grief art therapy, there will be a youth game night for kids that are grieving," said Dickerson. "We will have a book club that helps with healing, it will all be uplifting."
When Dickerson looks at the space she's created to help heal her community, she knows her daughter April is close by.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at Kim.Rafferty@newschannel5.com.
Another example of how one person can truly make a difference. And the best part - we all can help! As a nurse, Laura handles emergencies every day. But nothing could prepare her for the emergency that brought her hometown to its knees. From her current home in Tennessee, she's mobilizing aid and supplies for Helene survivors and is helping make their recovery easier and their holidays brighter. I hope you take a moment to watch her story - you might even feel inspired to lend a helping hand.
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