7 year-old Somer Thompson’s terrible murder is known nationwide.  This first grader was walking home with her twin brother and older sister from Grove Park Elementary in Orange Park on October 19 when she ran ahead and out of their site.  This was the innocent beginning that led to a horrific ending..  Two days later, missing Somer’s body was found in a landfill in Folksville, GA.  This has caused great grief across the country, and Clay County Rick Beseler greatly fears for his community and warns residents that there is a “child killer on the loose.”

Somer was a wonderfully creative and outgoing little girl, and her parents said she loved giving hugs and dancing.  Her memorial service was completely created for her, with purple balloons and flowers galore.  Somer’s favorite color.  Reverend David Tarkington led this beautiful memorial service at the First Baptist Church of Orange Park Tuesday.  He told of memories the family had talked about with him and how amazing she was.  Such as her Girl Club Parties with Grandma, where Grandpa was stuck on the back porch so they could do ‘girl things.’

Reverend David said many beautiful words during the memorial.  “Every tear that has been cried has been collected by God,” he said to the Thompson family and many other friends, family, and supporters.

Mother Diena Thompson and father Samuel Thompson both have a lot to cope with, their own struggles as well as their two other children.  Here are the words Reverend David provided for their rightful anger towards the murder, “You don’t want your anger to take the joy that you had with her for seven years.”  I could not have come up with a more clear and encouraging way of putting things.

Once the memorial was over, there were hundreds of supporters watching her wooden casket be carefully taken to a place of rest.  A biker foundation has been created called Rockers Against Sexual Predators.  It was founded by Bikers and was inspired by Somer, to help promote changes in laws regarding sex offenders.  They will have annual concerts in her name, and the first is scheduled for November 15.

A little after 12:30, hundreds of people in town released purple balloons into the sky as as the procession passed them by.  Florist Pam Wolbert, the woman who contributed so many beautiful flowers, stated as the balloons rose above, “Maybe she’s up there, and she’s gonna grab it.”

Beseler and investigators were still working Monday on the case, but had been keeping a low profile until the memorial was over.

“As long as it takes, we are going to find whoever did this,” Beseler states.

Remember, the kids must feel so terribly and feel it is their fault.  As an adult it seems impossible to deal with this, and at the emotional maturity level they are at who knows what this will do to them.  This family needs to stick together more than ever.  Our prayers and hearts will be with the Thompson family.