Memorial service for slain teen Jakarah Lopez-Moore: Rochester community unites in grief

The Miracle Valley Deliverance City church in Rochester is usually quiet and closed on Fridays. This day, though, was very different.

The doors opened to welcome family, friends and community members to celebrate the life of 16-year-old Jakarah Lopez-Moore, the young victim of a tragic slaying who was missing for weeks before her body was found.

One after another, people stopped to sign their names in a large binder before taking their seats. Soon, the fabric padded church chairs were flooded with pink, Jakarah’s favorite color — taffy-hued dresses, bubblegum-colored sweaters, blush-tinted shirts, flamingo-flavored jackets, suits, shoes and even socks filled the room.

A mini carriage dressed with princess decorations and pink crowns sat in front of the church stage under a sparkling chandelier. Behind the carriage, were three big screens projecting a picture of Jakarah with the words, “In Loving Memory" / "Jakarah Lopez-Moore."

On this day, the church was decorated for royalty.

Bishop James Hartsfield would later explain that her name means “beautiful princess."

The service was paid for by Memories Funeral Home of Rochester, the family said, after the Marketview Heights girl was found. Her killing has been deemed a homicide by police.

The last day Jakarah’s family saw her alive was Aug. 27. She told her grandmother she would be right back, then walked out of their house. Her body was found six weeks later in the woods behind an industrial complex.

Jakarah’s story is not a one-off.

She is representative of the vulnerable demographic of teens living in Rochester — a segment of western New York that sometimes does not receive attention until it's too late. Her story speaks to the larger issue of trauma and violence that young teenagers in this city, especially girls, face.

For some, it begs the question: Is there enough being done to protect children in our community?

Funeral service for Jakarah Lopez-Moore in Rochester

The service started at 11 a.m. with a prayer and a song. Hums of a saxophone and the lyrics “call my name with your heart” filled the room as people stood up from their seats in honor of Jakarah. The music was loud. The energy of those within the church was louder; it was palpable.

Abdul Conteh began to read her obituary and some poems.

“See her beauty in every blossoming flower and you’ll never be alone,” he said into a microphone.

The sound of the saxophone started again. In her obituary, it says that Jakarah loved music, that it touched her soul.

The man playing the instrument began walking down the aisle, followed by two other people holding a pillow and a big diamond crown. People in the crowd joined in to sing the lyrics, “I shall wear a crown." They walked to the front of the church and placed their items in front of the carriage.

'When a child is missing, we all need to get involved'

Many people took turns sharing their thoughts and favorite memories of Jakarah.

“You can’t sing worth nothing,” a family friend joked as she took the microphone to say some words about the teen.

“I just want you to know we looked for you. We looked so hard,” she later added trying to fight off the tears.

Jakarah was curious, funny and brave, everyone who spoke said.

She was fierce and protective of her family, especially her younger siblings. The crowd laughed and cried as memories of her short life were replayed within the church walls.

Even people who didn’t know Jakarah took a moment to share some thoughts. Jamelia Edwards, a local woman who got involved in community search efforts during Jakarah’s disappearance, said cases like this are the responsibility of the entire community.

“When a child is missing, we all need to get involved,” she said.

Bishop Hartsfield was the last to speak. He talked about her age, 16, and how that number signifies love. The bishop then had everyone give a standing ovation for Jakarah.

“On the count of three, let's make her happy,” he told the crowd. Hartsfield counted them off: “1...2...3..."

"Jakarah!” everyone yelled.

“I love you baby," another voice screamed out.

Remembering a slain 16-year-old from Rochester

After the ceremony, everyone gathered in the parking lot to release Jakarah’s balloons into the sky. It was windy, but warmer than most October days in Rochester. It was the type of weather her mom, Christee Lopez, said Jakarah would have loved.

Her friends and family watched as they floated into the sky and out of sight.

Soaring.

Her cousin and best friend, Sunshine Bell, laughed as she recounted funny memories of Jakarah.

“No matter what the situation is, she always gotta find a way to make you giggle about it,” she said. “She’s just a goofy person in general.” Others chimed in and added that Jakarah was “the life of the party."

At this moment, when Jakarah’s friends are talking about her, she isn’t gone. Her memories and legacy live on through them and the stories they tell about her. They can still hear her laugh and still see her smile, something that can never be severed.

And as the crowd of pink dispersed into their cars to leave, pieces of Jakarah left with them.

— Madison Scott is a college journalist who is an intern with the Democrat and Chronicle. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com. Tell her if you have a good history book recommendation, especially about the Rochester region.

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Jakarah, murder victim from Rochester, remembered at funeral services