KNOXVILLE (WATE) – Family, friends and the Knoxville community said their final farewells to the teen many consider a hero.
The church was packed and emotions were high at Overcoming Believers Church on Saturday. More than 2000 people came to pay their respects to 15-year-old Zaevion Dobson, including his math tutor of three years.
The Fulton High School football player was killed December 17th after shielding three girls from bullets. Police believe men with possible gang ties fired into a crowd of kids.
“I have mixed emotions, that was the ultimate sacrifice to say I will think about other people other than myself with no hesitation,” said Jihad El-Amin. “A lot us can’t say that would’ve been our instant thought to think about the others that we were with and to protect them over ourselves.”
Friends described the Fulton High School Sophomore as smart, funny, a play maker and showstopper on the football field and a hero in the Knoxville community.
“If you knew the young man and he laughed with you, smiled with you, talked to you, shared his life and time with you and if you were around that family you would know that he was worth it,” said El-Amin
Judith Pelot, who works with Zaevion’s mother, said Zenobia Dobson is thankful for all the prayers, calls and support through such a difficult time.
“She has a very strong faith and she feels that her son’s death will be for a purpose,” said Judith Pelot with the CAC.
Dobson’s teammate, Gaston Strong, said the funeral on Saturday is not goodbye, it’s a celebration of Zaevion’s life.
“He’s a great kid you know, always happy, smiling, it was always good vibes with him, brightened up everybody’s day,” said Gaston Strong Fulton High School Senior. “It’s definitely tough whenever you lose a teammate especially one like Zae, a real good kid and a really good friend of mine.” “He’s going to be missed dearly,” said Strong.
While planning a funeral and dealing with national attention, the Dobson family found time to tell Knoxville Police Department officers thank you.
The police department tweeted out a photo of the flowers and smiley face balloon saying “Thank you to the family of Zaevion Dobson for thoughtful baskets delivered to investigators and command at KPD!”
Earlier in the week, Zenobia Dobson, the mother of Fulton High School football player who died saving his three friends, said members of the community, the Knoxville Police Department, Fulton High School staff and students, and so many others have all come forward with kind words and actions to let her and her family know how much Zaevion was loved and will be missed. The employee of the Knoxville-Knox County CAC Office on Aging Mobile Meals program said she is literally overwhelmed with calls and has not had time to be alone with her immediate family to process the loss of her son. As a result she is asking that all correspondence be mailed to her at the CAC Office on Aging.
“With Ms. Dobson’s permission, the CAC Office on Aging asks that she and her family be left in peace and out of the public eye right now,” said the office on aging in a statement. “Thank you for showing respect to Zaevion’s family by giving them this time alone.”
While the Knoxville community continues to mourn the loss of a 15-year-old football player, his story is reaching all parts of the United States and the World.
President Barack Obama tweeted Sunday “Zaevion Dobson died saving three friends from getting shot. He was a hero at 15. What’s our excuse for not acting?”
