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Family funeral held for young NC slaying victims

December 2, 2011 | Keri Brown

The long line at Pleasant Garden Baptist Church began long before the 10 a.m. service on Friday.

The pictures on the funeral program cover of the five children killed in the Guilford County shootings bring smiles and tears for many people. Austin Wallace of Pleasant Garden grew up with Dylan Smith, 17. He remembers playing with him little league baseball and video games.

“He was amazing basically. He had the biggest heart that you would ever see in a person. As a kid, when I was growing up with him, I have been to his house a thousand times, he and his mother were both amazing people and so is Zack. I remember when he was little kid and would run around the house and be a little wild man, such a happy kid. We are all going to miss him and we all love him so much,” said Wallace.

Dylan Smith’s mother, Mary Ann Holder is suspected of killing him along with his younger brother Zackary Smith, 14. During the service, Rev. Carl Pulliam delivered the Smith brothers eulogy.

“He came up to me tenderly and said Preacher, have you ever heard of George Lopez? Has anyone ever told you that you look just like him and them he would say Pow!”, said Pulliam.

Police said Holder also shot her nephew,  "Ricky" Brian Suttles, 17; her niece, Hannaleigh Michelle Suttles, 8; and her son’s girlfriend  Makayla Leigh Woods, 15; in the head before taking her own life. Today Kayla would have celebrated her 16 birthday.

 “She had a sweet smile and tender spirit. Today would be her 16 birthday so let’s sing to her. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Kayla, Happy birthday to you,” said Pulliam.

Police say 36 year-old Holder shot her married lover, Randall Lamb, 40, in the shoulder. They say Holder was having an affair with Randall Lamb for almost four years and accusations between Holder, Randall Lamb and his wife, Jennifer, was causing the affair to come to a bitter end. There were allegations of stalking and harassment within the murder-suicide case.

Police said Holder left behind two notes taking responsibility for actions and apologizing for the pain that she caused.

Callie Anderson from Greensboro is best friends with Mary Ann Holder’s daughter. She said she’s struggling to make sense of this tragedy.

“I just know that she didn’t hurt them. She loved her kids and would do anything for them and would never hurt them. They were all in school and doing good in school and they were just great,” said Anderson.

Wallace said he’ll never forget what happened. But he said he’s relying on his faith to help him through the pain of losing one of his best friends.

“God always has a plan and hopefully he has something behind this and it has brought us closer as a community, but it is just unfortunate that it happened and I just hope we all learn something from it.”

A private service for Mary Ann Holder took place earlier this week. A burial ceremony at Lakeview Cemetery in Greensboro followed the service.

 




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