'Her impact is undeniable': Hundreds say final goodbyes to Arielle Anderson

Detroit — Arielle Anderson was destined for greatness before her life was cut short, speakers including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer agreed Tuesday at the funeral for the 19-year-old Michigan State University student killed during last week's mass shooting on campus.

Hundreds of mourners, largely family, filled the pews at Zion Baptist Church on Detroit's east side to bid a final farewell to Anderson, who was one of three MSU students who were killed in the shooting. Five students remain hospitalized at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, two in critical condition.

Arielle lived up to her middle name, "a human reflection of a diamond," Anderson's aunt Kimella Spivey told a packed church decked out with pink, yellow and white roses.

Photos of Anderson with friends and family lined the room as a line of loved ones entered to say goodbye to her one last time. Much of the first floor was filled with relatives and included Michigan State University interim President Teresa Woodruff and at least two MSU trustees.

Spivey and other speakers talked about Anderson's confidence, how she always knew exactly what kind of person she wanted to grow up to be. They said even though she will never be the surgeon she had always dreamed she'd be, Anderson still achieved greatness.

"She was studying to be a surgeon because she wanted to help people, just like she would when she worked at senior citizen homes during the summer," Spivey said.

Anderson liked photography, concerts, tubing and roller-skating, Spivey said. Her mother, Dawana Davis, was the most important relationship in her life; the two were never far apart when she was home from MSU.

Whitmer spoke about Anderson's confidence and her commitment to serving everyone around her.

"As I look around this church and I've listened to stories and I've listened to comments about this beautiful young soul, her impact was undeniable," said Whitmer, whose office confirmed she was asked to speak at the funeral. "In her own words, 'She was a dime plus nine,' and though her life was cut short in the cruelest of ways, her impact is undeniable."

University Board of Trustees Chair Rema Vassar said she pored through Anderson's social media accounts, seeing a person who not only accomplished a lot, but knew how to have fun with loved ones and how to support them well.

"And, well, I thought she had a fashion sense," Vassar said, getting many in the church to crack a smile and laugh. "I don't know if that was the prom picture, but she stepped on everybody's neck."

The funeral was held the day after hundreds gathered at the visitation for Anderson, who would have turned 20 in June. For hours, mourners flocked on Monday to Cantrell Funeral Services, some wearing suits or MSU memorabilia, reminiscing about the sophomore who was driven by a longtime passion to serve others.

Two days earlier, a vigil was held for Anderson at First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grosse Pointe Woods, following funerals on Saturday for the other two shooting victims, 20-year-old Brian Fraser from Grosse Pointe and 20-year-old Alexandria Verner from Clawson.

Anderson, of Harper Woods, was a 2021 graduate of Grosse Pointe North High School who was planning to graduate early from MSU.

Anderson's funeral started late as family and other mourners took time to pay their last respects at her casket. The service lasted over two hours.

Even as young as she was, Anderson made an impact, Deputy Superintendent of Grosse Pointe Public Schools Roy Bishop Jr. said. In talking with multiple educators from high school and middle school, he said Anderson was regarded as a leader and advocate for her fellow students serving on student council and National Junior Honor Society.

"She accomplished so much I can honestly say I'm truly inspired by her drive," Bishop said.

But Anderson was more than a dedicated student, said Aaron Walter, Detroit Public Schools Community District executive director. He reflected on potluck gatherings the school district would have over the years for the bus drivers and how Anderson would serve food there.

"She was there serving those same bus drivers that took her and her friends to school and on field trips, so she didn't forget about Detroit. She knew where she came from," Walter said.

Anderson is smiling now, Walter said, knowing she's the only one who could make a diehard University of Michigan Wolverine fan like himself find, buy and wear a Spartan tie.

Smiling and holding a degree in her hand, Vassar said Anderson will be receiving a degree from MSU.

The church erupted in cheers at the announcement.

Vassar noted Anderson was a highly educated and determined Black woman, joining the ranks of countless other women before her.

"She joins that sisterhood," Vassar said. "She got her angel wings, and she's bringing her degree."

anichols@detroitnews.com