JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Family and friends gathered Friday to say a final goodbye to a teen who died suddenly from an illness she contracted last week.
McKenzie Wilson, 15, was about to begin her sophomore year at The Bolles School, where she was a cheerleader and softball player.
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Wilson, who was the daughter of an executive at EverBank, died Tuesday from an illness involving inflammation around the brain.
Her funeral at Beach United Methodist Church in Jacksonville Beach began at 11:22 a.m., the time family members said Wilson normally went to Sunday services. They said the time was also a way of representing the Bible verse Mark 11:22, which reads, "Have faith in God."
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One woman who attended the funeral described Wilson as a "woman of God" and said her life was a testimony. She said Wilson had recently dedicated her life to God.
On a Facebook page dedicated to Wilson, friends are still leaving behind messages, Bible verses and notes saying "We will miss you."
Health officials said they are still waiting on test results, which could take one to two weeks to come back, in determining what exactly caused her death.
Wilson's family released the following statement earlier this week:
"We are heartbroken at the loss of our beautiful daughter, who was tragically taken from us far too soon. Through the 15 years she was with us, McKenzie brightened the lives of so many people around her, and we are fiercely proud of the caring and wonderful young woman we raised. She will forever be in our hearts. Our family is truly touched by the flood of support from our friends and neighbors, and asks that you continue to hold us in your thoughts and prayers."