3 years ago
Some of the people that gathered Saturday to say goodbye to Casey Crowder, 17, were her life long friends. Others were just acquaintances. But no matter who they are, each one had something in common. They shared a bond with a beautiful teen whose life came to a brutal end.
"I think everyone that even had one opportunity to meet her and talk to her would have come because she does leave an impression," says Casey's friend, Gretchen Pearce.
A motorcade escorted the family from the private graveside funeral to Casey's "Celebration of Life Service." The first to come out of the white limousine was Casey's mom, Melinda, followed by siblings, cousins, aunt, uncles, and grandparents.
As a family friend greeted them with programs, Casey's parents made their way through the crowd, leaning on each other every step of the way.
"It always seems that it happens to someone you don't know. When it happens to someone you do know, then it just does not seem real really," says family friend, Martha Sue Pearce Bost.
The program for the service talks of Casey being an active teen who loved family, life and God.
"She was fun to be around. Gosh, she could sing. I wish everyone got the opportunity to hear her sing," says Pearce.
Also at the memorial, were several Desha County police officers who have dedicated the last two weeks to finding Casey and now her killer.
"To me, just like all the other policemen, even veteran policeman working on this case have taken this case very personally. It's an unusual thing, it's a hurting thing. Every policeman that, even older, seasoned officers, are taking very seriously and that's what this is today," says Jim Snyder, Desha County Sheriff-elect.
A celebration of Casey's life and the joy she brought to so many lives in her 17 years.
