WATCH | Mother and daughter laid to rest

Family, friends, and community members gathered at Philadelphia Church in Woodlands on Saturday morning to share their final goodbyes for 15-year-old Brooklyn Hemmero and her mother, Christina Nikki Joseph (34). The venue was filled to capacity, with family, community members, and pupils in uniform lining up outside the church. Inside, the coffins were placed side by side with picture frames surrounded by flower bouquets.

Distraught family members held each other as the pastor shared a message of comfort. Bishop Keith Van Niekerk shared with the congregation that they will find comfort in prayer. “It is only Jesus that can help us; it is only through Him that we can find peace,” said Van Niekerk.

A family relative, Peter Van Niekerk, said it was a tough morning for the Hemmero and Joseph families, who were supported by the community and those who shared messages of condolences. We don’t want this to happen again. We want to stop violence and work on having a brighter future for all in our community.

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We are thankful for everyone who has supported us today,” said Peter. A friend of Brooklyn’s, Colleen Bennett, said it was difficult to see her friend in a coffin. “Brooklyn was in a grade lower than me, but we just started talking and we became friends. It was difficult to see her like that,” said Colleen.

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