Funerals Held For Murder Victims

While detectives continued the investigation, the two Weleetka girls were laid to rest. Family and friends remembered 11-year-old Skyla Whitaker and 13-year-old Taylor Placker on Friday.

The News On 6's Ashli Sims reports the double loss was felt throughout the community.

Two innocent little girls, two lives cut short, two funerals, almost too much to bear.

The packed church was a sign of just how much these two little girls have come to mean to this community.

Best friends Skyla Whitaker and Taylor Placker were gunned down last Sunday.

"It hits home for me as a father of three little girls that something like this could happen in Oklahoma," said Rev. Jim Palsay of Henryetta First Baptist Church.

The pastor didn't try to make sense of the senseless. He did say the little girl, so full of life, who loved animals, is still teaching us lessons, even in death.

"And if anything about Skyla's life and her death is that life brief. And folks that means time is precious. And that means the opportunities we have in this world aren't many. And we need to take advantage of those opportunities," said Rev. Palsay.

The most stirring words came from Skyla's older sister, who spoke for their mother. She said the family's one comfort is that Skyla died with her best friend, Taylor.

In Dewar, the pastor urged folks not to mourn Taylor's death, but to live like she would have.

"You know what you live life fully. It's what Taylor did. It's what she wants you to do today. She doesn't want you to mourn. She wants you to live," said Pastor Ron King of Dewar First Baptist Church.

Pastor King says Taylor was the kind of girl who would stop and move a turtle out of the road to save its life.

Now some are saying to honor her life and Skyla's, those who know what happened to them should speak up.

"We've gotta do something! People who know something, come forward! Do something! And the longer they wait, the colder it gets. You've got to get something done now. Because what kids are safe? None!" said Jo Ann Pigeon of Weleetka.

Through the tears, the best in Weleetka and surrounding areas is shining through. Two area parents held a fundraiser on Friday night to raise money to boost the reward to find who's responsible.