Mourners Line Streets to Pay Respects to Somer Thompson

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- Students from Orange Park High lined Kingsley Avenue joining hundreds of others who came to mourn the death of 7-year-old Somer Thompson.

About a week ago, the first-grader disappeared while walking home from school. Her body was found days later in a Folkston, Ga., landfill.

Michele Eversole, who taught Somer in preschool, came with tears in her eyes and balloons in her hand.

"She was awesome, full of energy, spunky," said Eversole, who blew kisses as the remains of her student passed by on the way to her final resting place. 

Signs reading "Justice for Somer" also dotted the landscape along the funeral procession.

"It is sad. It should never have happened," said Greta Jolly, of Middleburg who held a cross hand made with a purple ribbon.

Purple was Somer's favorite color, and as a tribute many people held and released purple balloons as the funeral procession passed. "It is heartbreaking, that's everybody in America's baby right there," said Danielle Thompson, who is not related.

"Every parent in the world is reaching out to her. Nobody should have to bury their child," she said.

If you have any information that could help investigators, all 911, or call 1-877-227-6911 or 1-866-845-TIPS. You also can email cart@claysheriff.com.  

TO HELP AND RELATED EVENTS:

• There is an account at Vystar Credit Union for donations.  The account number is 0702794000.
• A free one-hour seminar for children to promote safety while trick-or-treating will be offered at 6 p.m. Oct 27, 28 and 29 at Champion Martial Arts & Fitness, 11570 San Jose Blvd. #7. 
• A motorcycle-ride fundraiser at 11 a.m. Nov. 8, starting at Love to Ride, 3275-3 Hwy. 17 N., Green Cove Springs. The cost is $10 per person.
• A candlelight vigil for Somer will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in front of the Charlton County Courthouse, 100 Third St.,  Folkston.

Sam Thompson, Somer's father, also has a benefit fund. He and Diena are still married, but have been estranged for several years. Sam says the fund will help pay for visits to Jacksonville from his home in North Carolina.

Sammy Thompson Benefit Fund
The Community One Bank
1128 S. Main Street
Graham, North Carolina 27253

REWARD

• The Justice Coalition has set up an account for donations to a reward fund for anyone providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the murder of Somer. If you want to donate, go to Ameris Bank at 888 Lane Ave., or at 4835 Town Center Parkway, both in Jacksonville, and give account number 3123504437. Donors can also call the Justice Coalition at 904-783-6312. The reward stands right now at $35,000.
• CrimeStoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for an arrest also; to donate to that fund, call 866-845-TIPS.

To read the incident report in the Somer Thompson case, CLICK HERE.

To participate in a discussion about Somer on Moms Like Me, CLICK HERE.

FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE, CLICK HERE

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