MOSS POINT -- The three rows of pews already were full even as more people continued to fill the church for their final chance, and for some their only opportunity, to see the woman and child who died in a horrific wreck Aug. 31.
Alayah M. Wesley, 5 years old, and Sabriya Thomas Barnes, 29, were among five people who died in the six-vehicle pileup on Interstate 10 in Gautier. The other victims were men -- two from Mobile a
nd one man from Mexico.
The accident, which also killed one of several horses in a trailer, occurred on the Martin Bluff Road overpass.
"Soon and Very Soon" welcomed the thong of people who crowded the sanctuary, the viewing line circling the middle row of pews. The coffins were stretched in line across the front of the sanctuary.
People were patient. Everyone understood the desire view the two bodies, though photographs of them were projected onto the front walls of the church -- Alayah captured in graduation cap and gown for kindergarten; Sabriya' portrait showed her smiling, posed with her head slightly to the side and her right hand under her chin.
During the church viewing Alayah was seen first, a smile on her face -- innocence preserved. Sabriya also worn her eyeglasses, a smile and a look of life, as she was only sleeping.
During his eulogy, Pastor Cleveland Shears talked about the many roles she played in their congregation, Abundance of Blessing Church of God in Christ on Washington Avenue. He extolled her virtues and told of how Barnes would be shouting during the service if possible.
As the viewing continued, the line of people outside stretched down the steps of Shiloh Baptist Church. Vehicles parked in both directions along several blocks of Elder Street because the parking lots on both sides of the church were full.
Hazel Robertson Green remembered that Sabriya Barnes had been connected to her family, at one time dating Earl Robertson. "I fed her kids. She was with my son for seven years."
Wanda Johnson remembered Alayah for her fiestiness. "She was a very active child. She used to always play with my little girl." Alexcia Johnson is 3 years old.
Johnson said she was hurt when she found out about Alayah's death. "She was very sweet, very smart for her age," she said. "She was very strong. She always played with the boys. She'd beat the boys up."
By the time speakers came to the pulpit, there was standing room only, with people along the lenghth of both walls of the sanctuary; the foyer and balcony were full, and the fellowship hall was offered for people to sit and listen to the service.
Tears flowed throughout the service, which at times became a revival of praise to the Lord for help during this tragedy, as well as a time of encouragement and hope for the family to help them deal with their grief. Even humor was present when people were reminded to not let their two-minute expressions run too long.
"I'm going to miss Sabriya," said Laura Watson, after the funeral. "Sabriya would give you the shirt off her back."
Watson meant that literally. One day during a service at Abundance of Blessing she jokingly asked Barnes for the blouse she was wearing. Before she knew it, Barnes had stepped into the ladies room for a change of clothing, removed the blouse and handed it to Watson.
