'GOD HAS HER IN HIS HANDS'
Family, friends say goodbye to Verlishia
By TIM GULLA Ledger Staff Writer tim@gaffneyledger.com

Ledger photos / TIM GULLA Verlishia Littlejohn was laid to rest Wednesday following an emotional funeral service at Limestone Baptist Church.

A whole range of emotions were on display Wednesday afternoon at Limestone Baptist Church as more than 200 people gathered to say goodbye to Verlishia Littlejohn.

Some cried at her loss while others were able to find comfort in the belief Littlejohn is now in better hands.

Still unresolved at the time of the funeral, however, were the circumstances under which the 25-year-old Gaffney woman departed.

Littlejohn disappeared Nov. 28, setting off a search and pleas from her family for information. Her disappearance had been completely out of character, said family members whose fears of the worst grew as time passed. Their fears were realized last Friday when Littlejohn's body was found in the Broad River.

"God has her in his hands," Rev. Michael Golden of Limestone Baptist Church told friends and family at Littlejohn's funeral Wednesday. "Everything is going to be all right."

VERLISHIA LITTLEJOHN

In a touching tribute, longtime friend Tamika McCluney said she tried to think of the words she could use to describe "what a sweet person she was."

No words, however, could do justice to her friend, said McCluney. Littlejohn was always smiling, humble and kindhearted.

"Whenever I was down I could always call her and she would cheer me up," she said. "I never heard her say anything bad about anybody."

Littlejohn's funeral lasted about two hours and was highlighted by multiple musical selections, and words of comfort from multiple pastors and church leaders from the region.

"We're not here because somebody died," said Rev. Timothy Hunter, who offered words of thanks to the community on behalf of Littlejohn's family. "We're here because somebody lived."

While there's been no word yet from investigators on the cause and manner of Littlejohn's death, several prayed that justice be done if Littlejohn's death was at the hands of another.

Elder James Bonds implored friends and family members to "find God in all of this" and for people to give thanks for the time they spent with Littlejohn.

Mourners, one of them carrying a framed portrait of Verlishia Littlejohn, embrace outside the church following Wednesday's service.

"Let me assure everyone in here, God is going to work it out," Rev. Golden said. "Whatever is done in the darkness, He's going to bring it to the light."

Littlejohn was a care worker at the Charles Lea Center. Her last conversation was an interrupted cell phone call with her mother that allegedly was transferred by a cell phone tower in Greenville.

Investigators released no additional information Wednesday or Thursday. County Coroner Dennis Fowler said the cause and manner of death still are under investigation.

Littlejohn's car, which was found submerged in the Broad River on Tuesday, remained in the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office impound yard Thursday.

The car showed signs of damage to its windshield, roof and trunk lid. Investigators said most of the damage was done to the car when they dragged it out of the water Tuesday afternoon. The car had flipped upside down and it had to be righted after it was removed from the river.

"Whenever I was down I could always call her and she would cheer me up. I never heard her say anything bad about anybody." - Tamika McCluney

"We're not here because somebody died. We're here because somebody lived."

- Rev. Timothy Hunter

"Let me assure everyone in here, God is going to work it out."

- Rev. Michael Golden