On a church youth trip to Panama City, Fla., 17-year-old Spencer Perkins decided to walk 35 miles to visit his girlfriend in Destin. He only made it about 15 before he was tracked down, but the story about love and dedication passed into youth minister lore, said First Baptist Church Senior Pastor Shawn Parker at Perkins” funeral Tuesday.
The love and dedication demonstrated in his life drew a crowd of more than 800 people from across the state to the Downtown Columbus church for his funeral Tuesday.
Perkins died Friday in Jackson after accidentally shooting himself in the face with a shotgun while dove hunting on family owned land Sept. 12 near Brooksville.
The church was standing room only Tuesday, with crowds of friends ringing the sanctuary, and packing the balcony and an overflow area.
Punctuated by sobs from the congregation, former First Baptist Pastor Bobby Douglas consoled the family during opening memorial comments.
The current pastor of Clarksdale Baptist Church encouraged the family to find comfort in Jesus now.
“In these moments,” he added, “there are no magic words.”
His remarks were followed by “It”s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday,” sung by hip-hop artist Brian J., who prefaced the song by telling how he felt the family”s loss after recently losing his sister.
He stopped singing several times in the song, apparently overcome with grief, and closed by saying, “Miss you, Spencer.”
Lighthearted and carefree, Perkins will be most missed for his smile, said 16-year-old friend and schoolmate, Chandler Jones, after the service.
“He had such a way of making anyone smile at any time,” the Heritage Academy junior said. “I never saw him frown.”
The hip-hop artist”s performance was followed by Parker, who said the family could find comfort in their belief in God”s sovereignty.
“The Lord gave, the Lord took away, blessed is the name of the Lord,” said Parker, quoting Job 1:18.
In a prayer following Parker”s remarks, Perkins” sister, Sophie Perkins, thanked God “for giving us time with Spencer.”
The death of the Heritage Academy soccer forward has deeply wounded the family, who are still struggling with the loss, said long-time family friend Ken Atkins, 53.
“It”s just a tragedy,” he said. “It”s a tragedy for (parents) Tim and Paula to lose their child. And there”s nothing anyone can say or do to take their hurt away from them.”
After the service, family and friends took Perkins to the historic Friendship Cemetery on Fourth Avenue South for burial.
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