Emotional farewell as Louise Smith makes final journey past Havant Academy school gates
THE headteacher of Louise Smith has paid an emotional tribute to the much loved teenager as her funeral cortege passed by Havant Academy – the school she attended for the last five years.
The 16-year-old was tragically found dead in Havant Thicket on Thursday, May 21, nearly two weeks after she had gone missing. A man has been charged with her murder.
More than 100 mourners including teachers, classmates and local residents lined the streets to say a heartfelt farewell. As the horse drawn carriage made one last journey to the school school gates which which Louise would pass through each day with her school friends, the gathering broke into a spontaneous round of applause.
Headteacher, Victoria Adams, said: ‘Louise was a really valued and loved member of Havant Academy. The whole community is really saddened. As a school we have been rocked by what has happened.'
A popular student, Louise was an active member of the school community.
Mrs Adams added: ‘Louise took part in lots of extracurricular activities - she was a happy smiling young lady. Havant and Leigh Park will miss her very much.’
Pupils had left floral tributes to Louise outside of the school gates while purple ribbons had been tied to the entrance sign. Shocked students, many of whom would have been friends of Louise, waited on the roadside at the school entrance to say goodbye.
As the funeral cortege travelled along Wakeford Way residents opened their doors and stood at the end of their gardens - heads bowed as Louise made her final journey along what would have been a familiar road.
Leigh Park resident, Melissa Ellison, didn't know Louise but she felt she ‘had to come down’ to show the whole community are behind the family.
Melissa said: 'My heart goes out to the family - no parent should have to feel that pain. I felt it was important to come down to show the family we are all thinking of them. This really has brought the community together. We are all thinking of Louise.’
Despite not knowing Louise personally, Melissa said she felt ‘overwhelmed’ by the occasion - particularly as the cortege passed by with white flowers adorning the horse drawn carriage which spelled out ‘Lou Lou’, the name by which she was affectionately known.
Melissa added: ‘Being a mother myself it was very emotional seeing the funeral procession go by.'