Murdered schoolgirl Rhiana Moore was laid to rest yesterday in dignity and joyous celebration.

Hundreds of people from all walks of life united in prayer and song as the community gave thanks for the life of the "beautiful girl" who was always smiling.

The 'Home-Going Celebration of Life Service' followed the teenager's interment at her final resting place in St. John's Cemetery, Pembroke. The "Special Rose", as friends described her, was buried among wreaths of roses and messages that said "Our thoughts and prayers are with you".

The 14-year-old was last seen alive on Friday, May 30, at a youth meeting of the Radnor Road Christian Fellowship in Hamilton Parish. Her body was discovered the following morning in the mangroves of Blue Hole Hill Park nature reserve.

A 32-year-old man - Ze Menefeskiduse Selassie, of St. George's, has been charged with her murder.

Rhiana's family yesterday requested a service of "celebration" to reflect on the life of their loved one - a service which also gave a message of hope to the community.

Throughout the afternoon of worship at the First Church of God in Pembroke, mother Julieann, father Rohan and ten-year-old sister Khara conducted themselves with quiet dignity.

The mood of the service was at first sombre and many of Rhiana's friends could be heard sobbing gently. However, once the prayers and music began the congregation was uplifted by their memories of the teenager.

Officiant Bishop Neville Smith said: "We are here as a community to say to this family that we are mourning with you and that your loss is our loss. We stand with you, we pray with you. We ask God to comfort you and bring peace to your hearts.

"We come alongside you to bear with you your grief and your sorrow."

He said: "We have a hope, and it's a hope beyond today. We hope we can go along as a community and, as the family has instructed us, today is to lift up in celebration.

"Rhiana's going will not be in vain. Today we will lift up a note of celebration, because she was special. She has occupied our lives to make us all the better. Therefore we will celebrate."

Rhiana, who was born on Christmas Day, was described as "a gift from God" by her CedarBridge Academy Principal Kalmar Richards.

Mrs. Richards said: "CedarBridge has certainly lost a gem.

"She was such a lovely, lovely young woman. She was a beautiful young lady - not only beautiful in appearance but she had a beautiful spirit, an amazing smile and a very quiet and humble way about her.

"Every day she came through the school gates in the morning looking extremely immaculate, like the student of excellence she was."

Mrs. Richards said Rhiana, of Alexandra Road, Devonshire, excelled in mathematics, science, computers, physical education, theatre studies and business studies.

"Her conduct and deportment while she was with us was exemplary," said the Principal. "She was an Honour student and we are very proud of her."

Mrs. Richards said that in the past week, Rhiana's classmates have written almost 200 messages of love.

"She was loved by her CedarBridge Academy," she said. "She was a young lady who carried herself with dignity and pride, and we are just so thankful to have an opportunity to celebrate her life today."

Four of Rhiana's friends then described their "dearest friend" 'Ri'. They remembered with affection the "girly girl" who "always carried with her her lip gloss, lip liner and most of all, a mirror".

One said: "She was a beautiful girl. We will never forget her beautiful smile which was loved by everyone. Although she was taken from us so suddenly, we will never forget Rhiana Ashley Moore who was an angel from above.

"Rhiana you will always be our friend. We love you 'Ri' and know we will see you again someday."

Rhiana's friends from the Radnor Road Christian Fellowship also gave thanks for her life.

Kenji and Jenna Bean, Youth Ministry Leaders, described the teenager as "destined for greatness".

Kenji said: "As we relect, we are reminded of a rosebud waiting to bloom.

"We saw this rosebud as something special, with all of its beauty and delicate nature."

Jenna added: "If Rhiana could speak, we believe she would say: 'Love everybody, make wise choices, and fulfill your God-given purpose on the Earth'. You chose to remain the special rose God brought into our lives, so when we remember Rhiana, please remember to spread love just as she did."

Dr. Freddie Evans, Principal of Whitney Institute Middle School, remembered the former student as the "diminutive little girl with her pony tails".

"She was indeed a special young lady who had great potential," he said.

"It is important to remember Rhiana will always be with us. She lives in our hearts and memories and in the lives of all who knew her."

Michelle Wolfe of the Bank of Butterfield Trust said Rhiana had left a legacy of encouraging young people "to do well in school" and to parents "to encourage their children to be the best they can be".

"We will ensure your beautiful memory will live on," she said. "Because of the precious gift of you Rhiana, we will learn to love more. Rest in peace."

The Radnor Road Christian Fellowship led the congregation in song, ending the service with 'I am a Friend of God'. There was also a solo by Brandon Morris and Scripture readings from Roxanne Christopher and Joan Dillas-Wright - Rhiana's cousins.

Family friend Marie Place read the Obituary. She said: "Though her life was short-lived, she accomplished a lot of her dreams, like dancing and modelling, to name a few."

She said that following Rhiana's birth on December 25, 1993, "both Julieann and Rohan knew that they had a special and blessed child".

Ms Place added that Rhiana's younger sister Khara "doted on her".

Bishop Smith concluded that in the midst of tragedy the community had come together.

"The horrible act that has brought us here today - I can pause and reflect how great God is," he said. "Because in the midst of a mess he can create something wonderful."