JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A soldier killed in Iraq last week was laid to rest Saturday as his family was surrounded by hundreds of servicemen and women and supporters from the community.

Pfc. Tavarus Setzler died Oct. 2 when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb.

The 23-year-old was the youngest of seven children and was engaged to be married later this year.

During services at the Greater Hope First Born Church, the military presented his family with the awards and honors earned during his service, including the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Purple Heart.

Setzler's mother worked to contain her emotions and offer comfort to others during the funeral.

"God has just given her strength at this time," said Ernest Setzler, uncle of the fallen soldier. "Maybe she may break down a little bit later on, she may miss her baby. But right now, she's just a woman of God."

Friends said they'll remember the 2005 graduate of Lee High School as a quiet, reserved man who took pride in serving this country.

"He did a good job. He died for a purpose," said Joseph Hines, a classmate of Setzler at Lee. "A lot of people don't die for a purpose, but he did. I'm proud of him."

The Setzler family said the support of the community has made it easier to get through the past week.

"It's been an outpouring of this whole city; it's just been tremendous," Ernest Setzler said. "We're overwhelmed by it, and I don't think we would've gotten through it without everybody supporting us."