Slain student remembered
By: Chris Shaw
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: News
Friends and family gathered in the Michael D. Rose Theatre yesterday to remember slain University of Memphis sophomore Tederrial "TK" Hancock.
Hancock, 19, was shot and killed outside of Hollywood Library in North Memphis last week.
He leaves behind his 11-month-old son. Kadence.
Cortney Richardson, president of the student organization Empowered Men Of Color, said he wanted the memorial to be about Hancock's life rather than his death.
"We thought students needed closure, and The University was nice enough to give us this opportunity," Richardson said
In celebration of Hancock's life, his cousin and his god-sister Dalhya Small shared memories with the audience of more than 100 people.
"This needed to happen to show that his life didn't go unnoticed," Small said. "He put a big stamp on my life and the way I treat other people, and when people pass and leave something profound they need to be recognized."
Richardson said he thought it was important for the memorial service to take place on campus because The University and EMOC were like a second home to Hancock.
"This is the place that TK made his home," Richardson said. "There are a lot of students that knew him, and this is a fine time to remember his life."
In addition to the speakers, Pastor Aaron Litzsey from New Bethel Temple gave a short sermon and U of M students sang religious songs in honor of Hancock's life.
Hancock was remembered by all of the speakers as a hardworking and passionate person who was always there for his family and fellow EMOC members, Small said.
"I know TK would like to be remembered as an ideal black male on campus," Small said. "He was always smiling. He really knew what his priorities were: his school and his family. Overall, he was just a caring and fun loving person."
To close out the memorial, Hancock's mother, Lavata Hancock, told what living with her son was like.
"TK busted into this world," she said, recalling when TK Hancock was born in an ambulance at the stop sign in front of the house he grew up in. "God loaned TK to me for 19 years, but I had to give him back."
Hancock's mother said she does not want to seek revenge on the people who were responsible for killing her son.
"I didn't raise TK to hold vengeance in his heart, so I can't hold any vengeance in mine," she said.
"I know that God will take care of the people who stole my son's life."
Memphis police have not charged any suspects in the shooting death of Hancock, although eyewitnesses said they saw two men fleeing the scene after the shots were fired.
Hancock, 19, was shot and killed outside of Hollywood Library in North Memphis last week.
He leaves behind his 11-month-old son. Kadence.
Cortney Richardson, president of the student organization Empowered Men Of Color, said he wanted the memorial to be about Hancock's life rather than his death.
"We thought students needed closure, and The University was nice enough to give us this opportunity," Richardson said
In celebration of Hancock's life, his cousin and his god-sister Dalhya Small shared memories with the audience of more than 100 people.
"This needed to happen to show that his life didn't go unnoticed," Small said. "He put a big stamp on my life and the way I treat other people, and when people pass and leave something profound they need to be recognized."
Richardson said he thought it was important for the memorial service to take place on campus because The University and EMOC were like a second home to Hancock.
"This is the place that TK made his home," Richardson said. "There are a lot of students that knew him, and this is a fine time to remember his life."
In addition to the speakers, Pastor Aaron Litzsey from New Bethel Temple gave a short sermon and U of M students sang religious songs in honor of Hancock's life.
Hancock was remembered by all of the speakers as a hardworking and passionate person who was always there for his family and fellow EMOC members, Small said.
"I know TK would like to be remembered as an ideal black male on campus," Small said. "He was always smiling. He really knew what his priorities were: his school and his family. Overall, he was just a caring and fun loving person."
To close out the memorial, Hancock's mother, Lavata Hancock, told what living with her son was like.
"TK busted into this world," she said, recalling when TK Hancock was born in an ambulance at the stop sign in front of the house he grew up in. "God loaned TK to me for 19 years, but I had to give him back."
Hancock's mother said she does not want to seek revenge on the people who were responsible for killing her son.
"I didn't raise TK to hold vengeance in his heart, so I can't hold any vengeance in mine," she said.
"I know that God will take care of the people who stole my son's life."
Memphis police have not charged any suspects in the shooting death of Hancock, although eyewitnesses said they saw two men fleeing the scene after the shots were fired.