Funeral Service Held For 5 Muskogee Children Killed In Shooting

The 5 children who died in Muskogee in a shooting earlier this month have been laid to rest.

The mayor, Marlon Coleman, describes Saturday's funeral service as somber but celebratory of the 5 young lives --- gone too soon.

"There's no way to have a joyous occasion in such a time of despair," Coleman told News on 6, "the shock and horror that 5 children are gone are going to be with us for some time. I don't think cards or the funeral will help in the short term."

Coleman tells News on 6 the service was all about remembering those five children agree ranging from one year old to nine. The family gave permission for News on 6 to be outside of the funeral on Saturday afternoon. Friends and family walked out of the service tearful and emotional. Muskogee Police officers were also there to show their support.

Mayor Marlon Coleman was one of the speakers at the service. He said the children’s mother Brittany Anderson, was present. Brittany as well as five children were all shot earlier last week by suspect Jarron Pridgeon, how’s the father of three of those children. Coleman said it is clear Brittany is in shock and going through a lot of pain.

“It was traumatic to walk through the door and see five caskets. I think it was traumatic for everybody to walk through the door and see five caskets. For her to see, that I can only imagine, it’s unexplainable," Coleman added.

In the funeral program, Que’dynce was the oldest child, and described as “very happy, playful and full of energy. He would run around in circles if you let him.” The program goes on to say, “he made a difference in many lives and would be made a difference in the world.”

Neveah Anderson is described as a “princess and a diva through and through.” Neveah is actually “heaven” spelled backward

The family said “Harmony had a smile that could light up even the darkest of rooms. Her goal in life was to make people laugh.”

Jaidus “wanted everyone to be loved as she did,” And was very protective of her siblings.

Lastly, one-year-old Jalaiya is described as “never meeting a stranger.” She loved two things: playing and being held. She and her siblings had a tradition of saying goodbye to the family with a high-two, high-five and a fist bump. “Jalaiya couldn’t quite do the high two, so she did a high one until she got it down.”

The mayor said there will be a fund to help Brittany. The details of that fund will be released later next week.