Farewell to Bristol teen Shevon Wilson
Some wiped away tears, others shared smiles as they remembered a young man whose life was cut short when he was stabbed outside the World's End pub on Clouds Hill Road in St George on September 12.
Nearly all the mourners wore something purple – the 17-year-old's favourite colour – which stood out against the background of red-brick houses in his home street, Sunny Bank.
Dozens of his school friends, looking smart in suits and ties, stood with solemn looks on their young faces as they remembered one of their own who was taken away so suddenly. Many held roses, others clutched wreaths to lay at his grave.
Then, at 12.25pm yesterday, a beautiful horse-drawn carriage carried Shevon's body down his street and past his house for the last time.
He lay inside in a simple wicker coffin, adorned on top with white and purple flowers.
Along its sides, more flowers spelled out 'nephew' and 'brother', while one on top of the carriage simply said 'Shev'.
As the 200 or so mourners assembled in the street behind the hearse, neighbours stood out on their doorsteps, their heads bowed as they paid their own silent respects.
At the front of the cortege were Shevon's parents, Carl Wilson and Julie Crocker, holding hands as they shared their grief.
Then the funeral procession slowly set off on its two-mile journey to St Ambrose Church in Whitehall.
As it wound through the suburban streets, it stopped at a grassy corner of Meadow Vale, where a shrine has been set up in Shevon's memory.
A wooden bench under a tree bore the gold lettering 'Shevon Wilson RIP', while a plaque read: "In loving memory of Shevon Junior Wilson 1992-2009. You'll Never Walk Alone."
Attached to the tree were wind chimes and photos of Shevon with his friends, and Bristol City and Liverpool football scarves and shirts were neatly folded on the bench and ground. Candles glowed softly, teddy bears sat among bouquets of flowers. There was even a framed letter from Shevon's beloved Liverpool Football Club, offering condolences to the family.
At the centre of it all, a white T-shirt was draped over the bench. Black lettering read: "Keep knives off Bristol's streets", sending out a serious message about knife crime.
Many of Shevon's friends gathered around the shrine to lay flowers and share their memories.
One said: "We all used to come to this spot, and we will still come here now. He was a lush kid, so lovely, and everyone is devastated and torn up by it all."
As the procession made its way towards Whitehall, traffic stopped in the streets and bin men paused in their work.
Shopkeepers came to their doorways, and on one wall a graffiti tag read: "RIP Shev Wilson. Missing you."
Outside St Ambrose Church on Stretford Road, the number of mourners had swelled to about 500, from babes in arms to men whose beards were white with old age.
The church wasn't big enough for them all, and as the service began many were forced to stand in the foyer and out on the road, where they found their own spots to grieve and reflect.
Reverend Susan Allman led the tributes, reading a speech that spoke out against the use of knives, and then Shevon's mother gave her own eulogy to her son.
Ms Crocker told the packed church: "Shev was an inspiration to so many, and there are no words that can explain the devastation of the tragic loss of a son.
"Shevon will be remembered as a strong, positive, loyal and good man. As a family we are so proud of Shevon, and Carl and myself are so proud to be his parents. We will never forget his smile.
She went on to say: "May justice be done for all our sakes. Peace be with our son, and we all love you in our hearts for ever and ever.
"Shev, our purple star, too beautiful for Earth you are."
Shevon's grandmother and one of his sister's paid their tributes, and other friends read out their own memories. One said: "Part of me is missing, and it was an honour to know you. You were a great friend and a good influence on a lot of us."
Finally, Shevon's girlfriend, Charlie, paid her own tribute. She said: "I made up the saying 'rest in paradise' for you, Shev, so you can be partying it up in heaven.
"I miss you. You were the cutest, smartest, loveliest, silliest person I ever met, and you meant the world to me. The last thing I said to you was 'I love you'. I can tell you now I meant every word. Sleep well, beautiful."
The mourners sang Kum Ba Yah and heard the songs Serious Times, Michael Jackson's Will You Be There, and I Am Your Angel. Shevon was then buried at the Avonview cemetery, and family and friends went on to the wake at Rose Green Cricket Club on Gordon Road.
