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Funeral For Three Children Killed In Fire Held Saturday

Posted at 6:45 PM, Mar 02, 2013
and last updated 2013-03-02 23:16:00-05

KALAMAZOO, Mich– It was standing room only Saturday afternoon as people filled Mount Zion Baptist Church in Kalamazoo. Everyone from family members to the Mayor of Kalamazoo spoke at the funeral, giving their condolences to the family.

“But you got a lot of love in this room, look around, it’s full, it’s packed. We love you; we are going to be here for you,” Lavonne Hoskins, family member said.

It was a tragedy that impacted the entire community.

“Lord, I am doing all I can to stay strong, it feels like a part of me is gone,”

Tevin Williams Junior, 3, Te’Niyah Williams, 3, and Tyonna Henderson, 1, were all remembered Saturday. The three were killed in an apartment fire in Kalamazoo two weeks ago.

“Thank God for the angles and the time they spent with us, don’t cry for the angles they are already going back home and because of these angles we are never alone,” Dijainique Smith said.

Family members, friends and prominent members of the community took turns talking about the children.

“There are very few times in my life where I have been speechless and I find it very difficult to stand before you today. I can’t imagine what the family is going through,” Bobby Hopewell, Mayor of Kalamazoo said.

They talked about how the children were just that, children. They loved playing together, going to Chuck E. Cheese and playing with their stuffed animals.

“All I can say is that, we know that in youth we have that spark. The spark that us adults gain so much energy from. The love that we feel from our children, the embrace and opportunity to grow, that lives with us even when they’re not with us,” Hopewell said.

But even if they are gone, they aren’t forgotten.

“I use the word angels, because children cannot describe the joy, laughter, and memories that they brought to our lives, May their laughter heal their fathers hearts, may their love dry their mothers eyes,” Smith said.