YPSILANTI, MI - For 27 seconds, Egypt Covington's family and friends honored her as a star, with applause and cheers.

Twenty-seven seconds of applause to celebrate the 27 years of her life.

On Friday, June 23, Covington was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head in her Van Buren Township home.

Her family, friends and colleagues gathered Saturday, July 1 at the Arbor Brewing Company Microbrewery in Ypsilanti to celebrate her life.

The brewery was packed to the brim as Covington's loved ones shared laughter and smiles, tears and hugs as they honored and remembered the vibrant, kind and loving woman, who was also a talented singer and musician.

"Love is in the building," said her father, Chuck Covington. "She would have wanted that."

Rick Lack, Egypt Covington's boss, gave out three covenants he requested everyone take forward with them.

No. 1. Be good and better to each other because that's what she was.

"It's never a bad thing to be good to someone," Lack said. "Egypt got that."

Covington was always smiling and was a light to those who knew her, he said, and everyone has the ability to use that light.

No. 2. Justice for Egypt

The Van Buren Police Department is working hard to find the person who killed her, Lack said.

"There will be justice for Egypt," he said to applause.

No. 3. Arbor Brewing Company will brew a special beer named for Egypt, called "A Girl Named Egypt."

The owners of the brewery gathered with Covington's family to discuss how they could honor her and came up with the idea of her own brew.

She was an account manager for beer and wine distributor Rave Associates.

The plan for the beer is in the early stages, but Arbor Brewing Company will seek input about what kind of beer it should be, Lack said.

It'll be available to the public on her birthday, July 19. Lack said the day will become an annual event for her friends and family to gather and celebrate her life.

A GoFundMe account has raised nearly $16,000 for a memorial fund. Covington's friend Linnie Briley said they'll erect a plaque for Covington at her favorite place, Crosswinds Marsh in Sumpter Township.

Of the rest, they'll give 25 percent to Dragonfly Rescue in honor of Covington's love for animals and 25 percent of Safe House Center of Ann Arbor, a shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence.

The other half will go toward the Egypt Covington Music Scholarship, an annual $500 scholarship for students studying music at Belleville High School.

Kyle Coppock, a long-time friend of Covington's, said he was overwhelmed with support and love.

"This proves what a light she was," he said.

Chuck Covington looked over the crowd and called the day a blessing.

"We all love all the people that are here," he said.