Braintree: Town pays its respects to Charmaine (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Braintree: Town pays its respects to Charmaine

5:07pm Tuesday 7th July 2009

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Hundreds of people turned out for a colourful funeral to pay their respects to a popular teenager who died in a road collision.

Family, friends and aquaintances of Charmaine Phillips packed the Church of St Peter’s in the Fields in Braintree today.

The 17-year-old of Appletree Walk, Braintree, was killed in the crash on the A131 between the Marks Farm and Broad Road roundabouts in Braintree on June 22.

Family and friends arrived at the funeral in cars and a limousine adorned with ‘RIP Charmaine Phillips’ stickers and playing The Lighthouse Family, some of her favourite music.

Crowds of friends from Notley High School and Braintree College where she attended gathered outside before the service - led by Reverend James Ridge - began.

Lifted by The Lighthouse Family, one of Miss Phillips’ favourite tracks, played as hundreds of people poured into the church, with some having to stand at the back.

Miss Phillips’ brother Shane, of Rue de Jeunes, Braintree, went to the front and said: “Charmaine, you were the best little sister anyone could have. I love you so much.

I wish you were back with us.”

He added: “You were such a beautiful and intelligent girl.”

Simon Didcock Willis, who was like a brother to Miss Phillips, said she was “just an amazing young lady.”

“The colours today are beautiful,” he said. “I know Charmaine didn’t want to have a dark funeral. She got what she wanted.”

He added: “I know if Charmaine was here she would be thanking you for the amazing turnout and response the last couple of weeks and I know for the rest of our lives she will be remembered.”

TO LEAVE YOUR TRIBUTES TO CHARMAINE, CLICK HERE

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