Despite the wet weather Saturday, about four dozen students, along with family and community members, came out to the Parker Junior High parking lot to remember Kyran Smith, an eighth grader at Parker who was killed in a car accident on Sunday, March 22.
Ashley Raske, president of the Parker PTO, helped organize the memorial for Kyran on April 4. The original plan to see the funeral procession as it passed down Flossmoor Road was adjusted because of street closures due to the heavy rains.
Supporters waved blue and gold pom pons as the funeral procession passed through the Parker parking lot. Mourners in the estimated 40 cars in the funeral procession waved to those who lined the sidewalk.
“It was very emotional for the family,” Raske said.
Students learned of Kyran’s death at school when teachers shared the news that Monday following the accident.
“I knew him in elementary school at Heather Hill. He was a very nice person,” said eighth grader Nazzi Stennis.
“He would always get along with people,” said classmate Autumn Shaw who had classes with him in seventh and eighth grades. “He was a joy to have in class.”
Kylee Lawhorn, another eighth grader, remembered him as “very sweet and funny.”
Several teachers and District 161 board members joined the group. Art teacher Jason Walker remembered Kyran as “always smiling.”
Raske said after the accident, at 183rd Street and Governors Highway in Homewood, she reached out to Kyran’s mother so she could “feel our presence and support for as long as she needs us.”
Earlier in the week a group from Parker held a church vigil, and the week of spring break Raske and her son used blue cups to spell Kyran’s name on a fence at the south end of the Parker property.
Kyran would have graduated from Parker Junior High during a ceremony June 2 at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Superintendent Dana Smith said the board will be recognizing Kyran during the ceremony. Raske said students also plan to honor Kyran during the eighth grade dance on May 29.
Police arrested Ryan Barbour of Homewood for allegedly causing the accident that killed Kyran when he lost control of his car and hit the car Kyran was a passenger in. Police charged Barbour with four counts, including reckless homicide with a motor vehicle, and driving under the influence resulting in the death of another.
