THE POIGNANT words of a friend's poem filled South Tawton Parish Church with emotion last Friday as 250 mourners paid their last respects to popular schoolgirl Charlotte Saunders whose life was tragically cut short after she fell from her pony into the rain-swollen River Okement.
Emma Reddington — who looked after 12-year-old Charlotte when she was younger and shared her love of horses — had penned 'Charlotte is Smiling' after her death in Okehampton almost two weeks ago.
Music by the Belstone youngster's favourite band, S-Club 7, was heard in the church and tributes and memories were read out by the Rev Barry Wood. He described Charlotte as a well-loved and fun-loving girl who had a gift for getting on with life, people and animals.
Among the mourners were pupils and staff from Okehampton College where Charlotte, who lived at East Lake Farm and Riding Stables, was a second-year student.
One of the memories read out by Mr Wood was from Charlotte's mother, Heather, who was hospitalised six years ago but attended the funeral.
She talked about travelling to the beach at Woolacombe in a great big lorry.
'I remember riding and riding at Woolacombe with the wind in our hair and waves on the beach,' she said.
Mr Wood said the 12-year-old, who had been like a mother to her eight-year-old brother William, had a maturity beyond her years and a caring nature — always available to help others if she was able to.
'With her pony and dogs Dusty and Toby she spent many hours around the stables and farm and out riding with friends,' he said.
'Her untimely and tragic death has left her family and friends and the Belstone community with a huge sense of grief and loss.
'She had a special place in many many people's lives and she leaves a gap that will not be filled,' he said. 'Already she is greatly missed by all those who knew her.'
A message to Charlotte from her close family read: 'Sometimes you can be so close to someone and never get to tell them how much you love them even if they know already.
'We would just like to say that David and William, Heather, Seamus, Victor and Anne and Bernie and Clare loved you very much and will always hold you closely in their hearts.
'. . . all of you here today will have memories and nothing will change that. So now we can pause and take time to think about these memories and give thanks for Charlotte's life.'
Charlotte is Smiling
She is here smiling,
the creases of her eyes are smiling too.
The sunlight is beaming from her tangled hair,
remember the happy face we all know.
****
Say her name with familiarity,
remember the jokes you shared,
the places you went together,
rest happy, she knows you cared.
Wipe away your tears with happy memories.
****
Up long hills she galloped fast,
racing, shouting, leaning, jumping,
many beautiful places she had passed.
She had been blinded by the bright sunshine on a cold morning,
she had heard the first bleats of a lamb in spring.
She had breathed the fresh, country air
and she had been soaked to the skin from the pouring rain.
****
She is up there, like a star shining brightly,
not sad, not scared, not cold, not lonely.
She is looking down from her bed on white cloud,
resting safely she knows you were proud.
Although you might feel far apart, Charlotte is gone from the home, but not from your heart.