Clarke County

Funeral held for UGA student and crash victim Christina Semeria

CLARKE COUNTY, Ga. — More than 1,000 people gathered at a Milton church Monday night to pay their final respects to a University of Georgia student killed in a devastating crash along with three of her friends and classmates.

At one point, Christina Semeria’s father asked everyone at the funeral service to stand and shout "Go Tini" because that was her nickname. %

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Channel 2’s Rikki Klaus says they did just that and a thunderous applause erupted right after as they sent off the girl with the beautiful smile.

"I am in complete awe and so very humbled to have been given the gift of being Tini's mamma," mother Cathy Semeria said to the congregation of 1,300 people at the Birmingham United Methodist Church.

Last Wednesday,

Semeria and three friends, all UGA students, were killed in a car crash on Highway 15 in Oconee County. 

"Every single moment, you are writing the story of your life. I can't think of another person that magnifies this more than our sweet Tini. She celebrated life with every ounce of her tiny body. Fearlessly, and boldly, full of faith, every single second of her life on this side of heaven," Cathy Semeria said.

"I love you, Tini, baby. I miss you terribly," her father said.

Semeria's father put the tragic incident in perspective. %

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"Just think about it. There was Tini with three of her best, best buddies, going together, hand in hand, to meet Jesus for the first time ever. I mean, can you put your head around that? I mean, that's a beautiful, beautiful sight," Dave Semeria told the congregation.

Christina's parents said she loved animals, especially horses. She sought out the underdog, the person without friends and shared her love of God.

Her former babysitter, who only identified herself as Anna, said she was so good at just being herself.

"She was the little sister I never got to have," Anna said.

Christina's father asked everyone to remember the drivers of both vehicles in the crash.

He said Christina’s friend, Agnes Kim, is still in a coma.

Dave Semeria insisted the community needs to wrap its arms around the victims and show them love.

Cox Media Group

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