HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A memorial bench has officially been installed in Hendersonville in memory of a young girl who died last summer.
In July 2024, police said 7-year-old Piper Elliot was drowned by her mother in Drakes Creek along the Sanders Ferry Greenway.
Now, just eight months later, Hendersonville has found a way to permanently remember Piper in that area.
“The idea for this was probably immediate,” said Andy Gilley, director of Parks and Recreation for Hendersonville. “The fact that her legacy will live on in this area, and for her family to be able to come here, is a great thing.”
Jon Elliott lost his young daughter in an unspeakable way. As he sat down on Piper’s bench Friday morning, News 2 asked him simply: what are you feeling right now?
“A lot of gratitude. It’s way more than I ever expected. It’s just hard to even describe how much support and everything I’ve gotten, from everybody,” answered Jon.
The bench was paid for and installed by Hendersonville’s Parks and Recreation. The idea for the bench came mostly from residents; people who Jon hardly knew.
“It’s just really nice to see all the support from the community. People I’ve never met before, always reaching out and trying to do something for her,” said Jon.
Jon was the first person to see the bench before it was set up. The quote along the bench — “A legacy of kindness that will never fade” — was chosen by the family.
“And it just never stopped growing. It’s just amazing, every time I come out and look at it, there’s something new or different about it,” said Jon.
“When life gets hard, is this going to be the spot you come to?” asked News 2.
“Oh yeah. It has been, before the bench was even here,” answered Jon. “I’d come out and look at this and just realize there’s a community here that’s willing to take care of other people in the community, even though they might not know them or even met them.
“There’s just a lot of love in Hendersonville,” Jon added.
Before the bench was installed, a memorial for Piper was set up, and still remains.
Piper’s bench will receive an official dedication from the city of Hendersonville on Thursday, Feb. 20.
