BELTON, TX — Just in time for spring, a new tree was planted at Miller Heights Elementary School on Friday.
But it was not just any tree, the crepe myrtle honored their P.E. teacher Shelly Splittgerber.
After a December shooting that ended in an hours-long standoff with police, the P.E. teacher lost her life and so did her mother, while her 4-year-old son Corden Fidler, who survived, is still on the road to recovery.
Soon, the tree will bloom purple in honor of the beloved teacher known as "Coach S."
Loved ones of Shelly also attended the ceremony and received a plant on behalf of Shelly's son Corden.
"It's very special to honor her memory with the tree. As Cord grows up, he can come by and see how they honored his mom and watch it grow and blossom and bloom. It'll be very special," said Paula Golden, one of Shelly's family members.
During the ceremony the Miller Heights Honor Choir sang Shelly's favorite song amazing grace and blew bubbles to the sky in her honor.
