VALDOSTA —
When Jarius Humphrey stepped to the lectern to give his reflections of Ed Christian, 20, he told the large crowd that his longtime friend was absent from his body, and was now present with the Lord. Humphrey’s statement was one that resonated with the crowd and became a common theme at Christian’s funeral on Saturday at Mathis City Auditorium.
When Reverend H. Mathis delivered the eulogy, he told the Christian family to “stay in the race. It is not over yet. We know that (Edward) Ja’Marcus is gone. He is at home.”
Rev. Mathis went on to say that the world was not home, but heaven was, and that is exactly where Christian is now — home with the Lord.
“There is no sorrow in his heart anymore because God has called him to a new place,” Rev. Mathis continued.
Christian was shot and killed June 9 while attending a pool party in Auburn, Ala. His funeral on Saturday marked the close to what has been a week filled with grief and sorrow for his friends and family from the Lowndes High School and South Georgia community. Saturday’s service was attended by hundreds within the community to pay respects to Christian and his family, including members of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, where Christian’s father is a deputy.
The memorial service was also attended by former educators from Lowndes High School, along with head Auburn football coach Gene Chizik and the entire Tigers’ coaching staff.
Chizik declined to comment at the service.
Christian was no longer a member of the Auburn football team after suffering a broken back last season, but he was still attending the university and pursuing his college degree.
Saturday’s funeral started with a very emotional procession into Mathis City Auditorium. As the sea of people watched Christian’s family enter, wails and screaming cries echoed the room that reverberated to the
emotions of the many close friends and teammates that shed tears on the walk down the aisle to pay their respects to Christian.
Christian’s father, Ed Senior, shared hugs and hand shakes with several of his son's former high school teammates as they crossed in front of the open casket in the front of the auditorium.
Following the viewing, community members led by Tiara Ivey sang praises to honor Christian. The joyous songs were not enough to console some members of Christian’s family who became overcome with grief they had to be escorted out of the auditorium.
Humphrey stepped to the podium, telling the crowd that the shooting death of Christian could have been prevented.
“That man that killed my brother, his mind wasn’t in the right spot,” Humphrey said. “Everyone should look out for their neighbors.”
Following Humphrey, Chet Williams, the Team Chaplain for the Auburn football team, stepped to the lectern to share his condolences.
“On behalf of the Auburn football team and our staff, we grieve with the family,” said Williams. “Our hearts are crushed but we celebrate with the family because we know what kind of guy Ed Christian was.”
Williams said he had the opportunity to witness to Christian on various occasions in his office, and that Christian “found the Lord” while sitting in his office in Auburn. Christian’s found faith carried over to his life in Georgia, said Rev. Mathis, who spoke with Christian prior to his death.
“After talking to him, I knew God had his hands on him,” said Mathis when speaking about Christian.
As the service ended, attendees mournfully followed the recessional of Pallbearers, consisting of family and friends, that lead Christian’s casket to the hearse among an audience that consisted of his mother, father and several family members. More than two dozen police vehicles led the long procession to the Boston Cemetery in Boston, Ga. where he was finally laid to rest.
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