Family, friends mourn shooting victim at funeral

Feb. 14—Family and friends turned out Saturday to remember Syee Devon Havior at his homegoing celebration held at Chapel of All Faiths on the campus of Renaissance Park at Central State Hospital.

The 18-year-old Havior is one of the latest victims to fall to a violent crime in Baldwin County. He was shot to death earlier this month in what local and state law enforcement authorities say was a home invasion.

Four suspects, including a pair of 16-year-olds, have been arrested and charged with felony murder in connection with the investigation.

Havior, who was a senior at Baldwin High School, leaves behind his grieving parents, Otis and Paula Clark, of Milledgeville; four sisters; six brothers, a daughter, his grandmothers, as well as uncles and aunts, cousins, and many friends.

Havior was a devoted member of The Ebenezer Seventh Day Adventist Church.

"We're here to celebrate the life of Syee Devon Havior," said Pastor Ruberto Guerrero. "Otis and Paula, I want you to know that we're praying for you. I can't imagine what you're dealing with right now. But this I do know God understands. He sees and he cares."

The pastor also addressed the 2023 senior classmates from Baldwin High School who attended the funeral service. Havior, who worked part-time at the Sonic restaurant in Milledgeville when he was not attending school, was scheduled to graduate in the spring.

"I don't know whether you know this or not, but they started in COVID-19, and here they are getting ready to come to a close of their high school year," Guerrero said. "Syee was one of their classmates."

The pastor told the senior class members that he appreciated them being there.

"We thank you for taking time out to be here with us," Guerrero said. "And I pray God's blessings on all of you."

He urged them to go on in their lives and become successful because God has something special for them all.

Guerrero then prayed and asked God to comfort the Havior family.

Nicole Glenn read a poem to the standing-room-only crowd in the historical church:

You never said I'm leaving; You never said goodbye.

You were gone before I knew it, and only God knew why.

A million times, I needed you, a million times I cried.'

If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still.

In my heart you hold a place, that no one could ever fill.

It broke my heart to lose you, but you didn't go alone.

For part of me went with you, the day God took you home.

"He was always an honest person," classmate Keon Dennis said of his close friend. "One thing I loved about Syee was that he always stood up for people."

Several people reflected on the legacy of Havior's life.

One woman said when she heard about Syee's death, she immediately pondered, "What's going on."

She said such tragedies didn't make any sense.

The woman repeated the words, what's going on, several more times.

LaJune May said Havior was a kind person, "and always had something kind to say."

She said he was always eager to learn more about God.

One of his former teachers described him as a joyous young man.

"As my former students know, I have high expectations of them, both academically and behavior-wise," his former teacher said. "Syee never, ever gave me a problem. He was just so joyous."

And he had a big smile.

"We had such a joyous time in class getting to know each other," he added.

Another man said he didn't have answers for the tragedy.

"God is love," he said. "Love is the only way we're going to get through this. Young people, the only way we're going topersevere is with love. You've got to know one another, love each other, help each other. Love is the answer. And to this family, I extend my love, my grace and my prayers to you."