Malachi’s relatives let O’Neal almost single-handedly design the program, which took eight hours to create and six more to laminate. The more than 100 mourners at the funeral Aug. 13 received ...

The new two-year program prepares students to become funeral directors or embalmers. It’s the only one in west Tennessee. “It’s an emotional calling for me,” Battle said.

A funeral program for 4-year-old Malachi Lawson designed by Shawnie O’Neal, who heads Memorial Programs by Shawnie O’Neal as creative director, features the boy as a superhero for what he endured.