A steady stream of mourners filed past Cherish Perrywinkle’s open casket at Paxon Revival Center Church on Jacksonville’s Westside on Thursday.
Some, like school bus driver Nancy Watson, sat in the church for a while, reflecting on their time with Cherish.
“She rode my bus. Very sweet, quiet child. Always well mannered, well dressed," she said. "She’ll always, always be in our hearts.”
Cherish was kidnapped while shopping with her family last Friday night. Her body was found the next morning.
Donald Smith, 56, has been charged with her murder.
The public funeral for Cherish is at 2:00PM Friday at Paxon Revival Center Church on Commonwealth Avenue.