TITUSVILLE, Fla. – A church is preparing to welcome family, friends, and more in the community to celebrate the life of the Brevard County 18-year-old who died on a cruise ship.
In the last two weeks, from Anna Kepner’s neighborhood to her school, where Anna’s car became a memorial, Titusville Community Correspondent James Sparvero has been working to report how much of an impact the Temple Christian School senior had on her community.
[WATCH: Step-sibling may be charged after Titusville teen mysteriously dies on Carnival cruise ship]
That faith-based community extends to the Grove Church, where on Thursday at 5 p.m., in the words of her family who wrote Anna’s obituary, the community will, “remember Anna with laughter, color, sunshine, and love.”
John and Gina Lento, walking by the church, extended their condolences to the Kepner family Wednesday.
“I’m really sorry this happened,” Gina Lento said. “Our heart goes out to them.”
“Yeah, just something heavy to go through, you know,” her husband added.
Church member Connie Smith said The Grove will honor Kepner’s life with the utmost respect.
“My condolences and my prayers for all those that are involved because lives are changed forever,” Smith said.
[WATCH: community awaits answers from FBI 1 week after Titusville teen’s death on cruise]
She then told Sparvero she thinks a large group from the community will attend the celebration of life.“I definitely do, yes, to support the family,” Smith said.
A 16-year-old stepbrother is now named as a suspect in Kepner’s death, according to new court records in a child custody case that Anna’s stepmother filed.
Those new records from court also revealed Kepner went on the cruise with her parents and at least two of her step-siblings.
“It’s just horrible to hear,” John Lento said. “We love kids.”
Smith said her message to the Kepner family is to look to God.
“If all you can do is say help me, he’ll be there to help see you through it,” she said.
Stick with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for continuing coverage of how the community continues to pull together and the investigation.