Hundreds attend funeral for 9-year-old boy who drowned at swim camp

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Hundreds attended a funeral service at Fifth Street Baptist Church in Richmond for King Overton, the 9-year-old who by accident drowned at SwimRVA North on June 15.

The ceremony included singing, sharing of tales, and requires continued assist of the boy’s household.

King’s grandmother spoke in the course of the service, describing her solely grandson because the cutest child, witty and good, with fast pondering. She mentioned King’s dad and mom wished nothing however the perfect for him and mentioned the 9-year-old made an affect felt throughout Virginia.

King attended personal faculty, went on holidays together with his household, and liked to play the guitar and violin. His grandmother mentioned he would inform his mom, “One day I want to buy you a Tesla,” and his mom would smile and say “thank you” — despite the fact that she didn’t like Tesla’s.

King’s grandmother additionally shared a narrative about when a classmate didn’t have a Stanley cup, like all the opposite youngsters did, King went house and requested his mom to purchase one for the kid — and he or she did.

Attendees have been requested to put on blue — King’s favourite coloration.

As his mom and father mentioned their closing goodbyes in the course of the ceremony, the hymn “Soon and Very Soon (We Are Going to See the King)” by Andraé Crouch was sung.

Brittani Smith, who rides with the Lady Unity Riders, mentioned she additionally attended a bike trip held in King’s honor and felt compelled to return for the funeral.

“I wanted to show my support personally for her because I would want the same for me because my daughter is everything,” Smith mentioned. “I would do anything for her. And I want this mother to know that, you know, we are here for her, and this is tragic. And, you know, things need to change. We need to make sure our kids are safe.”

Smith mentioned the loss resonated along with her as a father or mother.

“I have a daughter, I have a six-year-old, you know, and this kind of hit home to me because, you know, I feel like everybody continues to tell you, Oh, let your child do this, let your child do that, but then you have this fear of something happening to them,” she mentioned.

The pastor who spoke on the service mentioned the household deserves solutions to stop one thing like this from occurring once more.

“A light dimmed out on earth to shine even brighter in heaven,” the pastor mentioned.

The drowning was dominated unintended, however Henrico Police are nonetheless ready for the complete medical expert’s report on King’s dying.

The Virginia Department of Education can also be investigating the scenario.

Swim RVA North was closed once more this previous week out of respect for the household.

There’s been no phrase on whether or not or not the power will reopen subsequent week.

King’s aunt wrote a poem in his reminiscence. One line learn: “Just think of me when you see blue, it’ll help remind you that I still love you.”